Approaches to external quality assessment in general practice
| Aim | Rationale | Method | Outcomes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peer review of professional performance | Assess professional performance of individuals and/or practice team | Professionals can self-regulate to improve professional performance | Systematic site visit and peer review | Assessment report. No certificate of achievement |
| Practice accreditation | Assess organisation and delivery of specific practice services | Practices need to demonstrate public accountability | Peer assessment against explicit standards | Accreditation of practice and development of systems necessary for quality improvement |
| Excellence model | Promote total quality management | Quality improvements and excellence can be achieved through quality management | Framework for self-assessment and award schemes | Systematic quality improvement and quality awards |
| International Organization for Standardization (ISO) model | Implement international norms for quality systems | Quality systems and management processes can be strengthened and standardised to achieve efficiencies | Audit by ISO experts, not peers, against generic, international standards | Certificate of compliance with standards, not intended for organisational development |