Discussion rages in Aus about how far to copy the UK. Many pundits
stating categorically that the QoF has been shown to be a failure. [with
no references]
Is there any 'evidence' out there? Yeah, sure there will always be docs
who play the system to patient's detriment, but has there been any sign
of an overall improvement in standards of care? If no, is that because
there is evidence of no improvement, or just lack of robust data?
I ask because I abhor tick-box medicine too. As a GP with an > 90%
immunisation rate pre-1990 Contract, I was dead against the introduction
of cut-off points for payment as I felt that a GP in an inner city area
who might be hard pushed to make the lower 70% grade, would in fact give
up trying, and rates would actually decrease. I was proved to be 100%
wrong in this, much as it pains me to admit that bastard K CLarke was
right..
Now I am hearing similar gut-feeling reactions to 'quality markers'-
just it would be fascinating to know the truth about what has happened
since the latest New Contract [and surely some data must be available
somewhere?]
--
Cheerio,
Graham
PS note the rising inflection at the end of the last sentence - I must be picking up the Aussie accent!
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