Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40911535›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Indicators of high-quality general practice to achieve Quality Equity and Systems Transformation in Primary Health Care (QUEST-PHC) in Australia: a Delphi consensus study.

Phyllis Lau, Samantha Ryan, Baneen Alrubayi, Lucy Bannister, Dylan Pakkiam, Penelope Abbott, Kathy Tannous, Steven Trankle, Kath Peters, Andrew Page and 3 more

Abstract readConsensus Statement
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Phyllis LauSchool of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0665-6348
Samantha RyanSchool of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Baneen AlrubayiSchool of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Lucy BannisterSchool of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Dylan PakkiamSchool of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Penelope AbbottSchool of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4865-4823
Kathy TannousTranslational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Steven TrankleSchool of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Kath PetersTranslational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Andrew PageTranslational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Natalie CochraneSchool of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Tim UsherwoodFaculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Jennifer ReathSchool of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThis study aimed to achieve wider consensus on the relevance and feasibility of the Quality Equity and Systems Transformation in Primary Health Care (QUEST-PHC) indicators and measures developed for Australian general practice.

methodsPartnering with eight Primary Health Networks (PHNs) across four states, we conducted a Delphi consensus study consisting of three rounds of online survey with general practice experts including general practitioners, practice nurses and PHN staff members. Participants rated each measure for relevance and feasibility, and provided input into the implementation of a quality indicator tool. Each measure required ≥70% agreement in both relevance and feasibility to achieve consensus. Aggregated ratings were statistically analysed for response rates, means, standard deviations, ranges, and level of agreement. Sub-group analyses were conducted to compare the aggregated ratings between practice and PHN staff, and between clinicians and non-clinicians in the practice staff. Qualitative responses were analysed thematically using an inductive approach.

resultsNinety-four participants participated in Round 1 survey; 61 completed all three rounds. All measures reached the consensus threshold for both relevance and feasibility; 19 were slightly less feasible when compared with other measures. Although in general the participants scored similarly and their agreements were statistically significant, subgroup analyses showed that PHN staff scored feasibility of some measures slightly lower than practice staff (e.g., patients screened for adverse childhood experiences), and clinicians also scored the feasibility of some measures slightly lower than non-clinicians (e.g., patient perceptions of preventative health discussion on unsafe sexual practices).

conclusionsThe QUEST PHC suite of indicators and measures have reached consensus in this Delphi study. Whilst the feasibility of some measures still needs considerations, the QUEST PHC suite provides a framework for defining and measuring high-quality general practice to enable reporting to inform quality improvement and alternative funding models for Australian general practice.

Indexed as

General PracticePrimary Health CareQuality Indicators, Health CareAdultAustraliaDelphi TechniqueFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID40911535
PMCPMC12412998

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.