Table 3 Continuation of characteristics and quality score of included studies
Article | Quality score | Country | Research design | Aim | Study setting | Intervention (Data dissemination process) | Sampling approach | Data collection methods | Qualitative analysis approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ivers et al. [44] | 85.7% | Canada | Qualitative | 1. To understand the perceived usefulness of external feedback. 2. To understand perceived barriers and facilitators to using this to improve practice. | Multidisciplinary primary care practices | Audit & Feedback | Stratified purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit family physicians. Sampling ensured variation in sex, experience, and baseline performance. | Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interview protocol was piloted and adapted as the interviews were conducted. | Framework Approach |
Kamhawy et al. [60] | 95.2% | Canada | Qualitative | 1. To understand physician experiences with practice data. 2. To develop a model that outlines how physicians interact with practice data. | Across seven practices (emergency physicians) | Audit & Feedback | Intentional sampling based on constructivist grounded theory to ensure representation of different practice characteristics. | Interviews were conducted and the guide was based on a prior survey. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. | Constructivist Grounded Theory |
Laur et al. [61] | 100% | Canada | Qualitative | 1. To explore how and why physicians change their prescribing behaviour in response to receiving an audit and feedback report. | Nursing homes | Audit & Feedback | All physicians who had received the report were eligible to take part. A statement in the report invited individuals to take part. A further recruitment email was then needed to recruit physicians. | Interview questions were guided by a predetermined theoretical framework. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. | Framework Analysis |
Payne and Hysong [45] | 90.5% | USA | Qualitative | 1. To determine which elements of the audit and feedback process influence acceptance. 2. To explore post-feedback actions. | Veterans Affairs Medical Centres | Audit & Feedback | Random sample of full time primary care physicians who met the inclusion criteria. | Semi-structured interviews were used using a predetermined interview protocol. | Grounded Theory |
Szymczak et al. [62] | 95.2% | USA | Qualitative | 1.To explore pediatricians’ experiences of an antimicrobial stewardship intervention and antibiotic overuse | Primary care practices | Audit & Feedback | Respondents were invited if they met the eligibility criteria. Recruitment occurred via email. Recruitment continued until saturation of themes was reached. | Open-ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interview protocol was developed based on a literature review and team discussions. | Grounded Theory |
Yi et al. [63] | 95.2% | USA | Qualitative | 1. To evaluate the use of surgeon-specific reporting in surgery. 2. To assess if the reporting enables performance self-assessment and to identify barriers. | Hospital | Surgeon-specific Performance Reports | The surgeon had to meet a series of eligibility criteria regarding surgery volume. Surgeons were invited to take part via email. | Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interview protocol was designed to assess the usefulness of reports and overall impressions. | Constant Comparative Method |