Health equity audits in general practice: a strategy to reduce health inequalities. Issue 1 (4th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Badrick, Ellena; Hull, Sally; Mathur, Rohini; Shajahan, Shamin; Boomla, Kambiz; Bremner, Stephen; Robson, John
• Is Part Of: Primary health care research & development. Volume 15:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 80
• Page End: 95
• Publication Date: 2013-02-04
• Subjects: Family medicine -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Primary care (Medicine) -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.1094105
• DOI: 10.1017/S1463423612000606
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-4236

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="abs1" sec-type="general"> <title>Background</title> <p>This quality improvement project was set in Tower Hamlets, east London, with the aim of reducing health inequalities by ethnicity, age and gender in the management of three common chronic diseases.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs2" sec-type="methods"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Routinely collected clinical data were extracted from practice computer systems using Morbidity Information Query and Export Syntax (MIQUEST) and Egton Medical Information Systems (EMIS) Web, between 2007 and 2010. Health equity audits for 38 practices in Tower Hamlets primary care trust (PCT) were constructed to cover key process and outcome measures for each of the three major chronic diseases: coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The equity audit was disseminated to practices along with facilitation sessions.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs3" sec-type="results"> <title>Results</title> <p>We show evidence of baseline inequalities in each condition across the three east London PCTs. The intervention tracked four key indicators (cholesterol levels in CHD, blood pressure and haemoglobin A1c levels in diabetes and % smoking in COPD). Performance for physician-driven interventions improved, but smoking rates remained static. All ethnic groups showed improvement, but there was no evidence of a reduction in differences between ethnic groups. Reductions in gender and age group differences were noted in diabetes and CHD.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs4" sec-type="conclusion"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Using routine clinical data, it is possible to develop practice-level health equity reports. These can unmask previously hidden inequalities between groups, and promote discussion with practice teams to stimulate strategies for improvements in performance. Steady improvements in chronic disease management were observed, however, systematic differences between ethnic groups remain. We are not able to attribute observed changes to the audits. These reports illustrate the importance of collecting ethnicity data at practice level. Tools such as this audit can be adapted to monitor inequalities in primary care settings.</p> </sec> </abstract>