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A quality improvement (QI) approach
Implementing preventive activities in your practice is an aspect of a broader QI approach. Implementing a QI approach to prevention usually involves several elements:
- broadening of focus from just thinking of care of the individual to actively reflecting on the larger population18,19
- planning for change20
- promoting a culture of QI in the practice team21–23
- a collaborative team approach to prevention24-30
- a realistic framework for implementation31
- being outcomes-focused23,32
- acknowledging the context and complexity of general practice33–42
- choosing implementation strategies that are evidence-based, efficient and ‘do-able’ in general practice.43,44
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Preventive care is part of a broader QI approach.
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Alignment with other QI frameworks
Quadruple Aim
Implementing preventive care aligns with the Quadruple Aim framework for delivery of high-quality care, which has the goals of:45–47
- improving the individual experience of care
- improving the health of populations
- reducing the per capita cost of healthcare
- improving the experience of providing care.
Achieving these goals and successful implementation of prevention both require an engaged and resourced team, as well as effective and collaborative organisations.47
Patient-centred medical home
Although preventive care tends to have a population focus, it still aligns with the patient-centred medical home (Medical Home) model, which has five elements:48,49
- comprehensive care
- patient-centred care
- coordinated care
- accessible services
- focus on quality and safety.
A successful Medical Home will provide high-quality preventive care to its patient population (refer to the RACGP’s
Standards for patient-centred medical homes, Standard 4: Comprehensive preventive, acute and chronic disease care).
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