Work

Four Needles in a Haystack: A Systematic Review Assessing Quality of Health Care in Specialty Practice by Practice Type

Year: 2018

Type: review

Abstract: Specialists, who represent 60% of physicians in the United States, are consolidating into large group practices, but the degree to which group practice type facilitates the delivery of high quality of care in specialty settings is unknown. We conducted a systematic literature review to identify the impact of group practice type on the quality of care among specialty providers. The search resulted in 913 articles, of which only 4 met inclusion criteria. Studies were of moderate methodological quality. From the limited evidence available, we hypothesize that solo specialists deliver care that is inferior to their peers in group practice, whether measured by patient satisfaction ratings or adherence to guideline-based care. However, solo specialists and multidisciplinary group specialists may be more likely to provide some specialized services compared with their single-specialty group peers. Insufficient research compares quality of care among different practice types in specialty care. Substantial opportunity exists to test the degree to which organizational factors, whether size of practice or the mix of providers within the practice, influence quality of care in specialty settings.

Source: INQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing

DOI: 10.1177/0046958018787041

Authors: Shellie D. Ellis, Saleema A. Karim, Rachel R. Vukas, Daniel Marx, Jalal Uddin

Institutions: University of Kansas, University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Children's Mercy Hospital, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Language: English

Topic: Primary Care and Health Outcomes

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,400