Development of a Core Set of Quality-Indicators for Paediatric Primary Care Practices in Europe, COSI-PPC-EU

Paediatric Primary Care is different in each European country and its health care system. Striking quality differences have been shown in the delivery and outcomes of child health care. Thus there is a need to measure and improve quality in Paediatric Primary Care in Europe.

The aim of this study was to develop a set of Quality Indicators (QI) to assess and monitor Paediatric Primary Care (PPC) in Europe. In a three-step process we used the available evidence from literature and European expert consensus in a modified RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method to develop the indicator set. A broad literature and online research of published QI and guidelines yielded a huge inventory of 1516 QI. A collaborative panel of paediatric senior experts from the European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) and the European Confederation of Primary Care Paediatricians (ECPCP) from 15 European countries participated in two consensus processes. They reduced the initial indicator inventory by rating the QI regarding validity and feasibility. After the second consensus process the QI set “COSI-PPC-EU” consists of 42 indicators in five categories of paediatric primary care: (A) health promotion/ prevention/ screening (13 QI), (B) acute care (9 QI), (C) chronic care (8 QI), (D) practice management (3 QI) and (E) patient safety (9 QI).

Conclusion: A consented set of a limited number of valid quality indicators is presented for the application in paediatric primary care in different health care systems throughout Europe.