Definitions of thematic categories emerging from the health service accreditation literature
| Thematic categories | Definitions |
|---|---|
| Relationship to quality measures | Examination of the use and validity of quality measures within accreditation programmes or the impact of accreditation on different measures of clinical quality |
| Organisational impacts | Examination of the impact of accreditation programmes on health service organisations and units |
| Programme assessments | Assessment of the development and validity of accreditation programmes |
| Change mechanisms | Exploration of how the activity of preparing and undergoing accreditation promotes change in health service organisations |
| Professionals’ attitudes towards accreditation | Analysis of the views of healthcare professionals concerning the processes, impacts and value of accreditation programmes |
| Financial impacts | Exploration of the financial costs of accreditation for different stakeholders |
| Consumer views or patient satisfaction | Assessment of the effects of accreditation on the views and satisfaction of patients or consumers |
| Survey and surveying issues | Assessments of the function and reliability of accreditation surveys and surveyors |