Cover: The Minimum Quality Criteria Set (QI-MQCS) for Critical Appraisal

The Minimum Quality Criteria Set (QI-MQCS) for Critical Appraisal

Advancing the Science of Quality Improvement

Published in: Implementation Science, v. 10, suppl. 1, Aug. 2015, p. A19

Posted on RAND.org on November 02, 2015

by Lisa V. Rubenstein, Susanne Hempel, Jodi L. Liu, Marjorie Danz, Robbie Foy, Yee-Wei Lim, Aneesa Motala, Paul G. Shekelle

This meeting abstract documents expert panel deliberations intended to develop a critical appraisal instrument (the Minimum Quality Criteria Set or QI-MQCS) to promote identification, dissemination and implementation of findings from high quality improvement initiative (QII) evaluations. METHODS: We convened a 9 person expert panel to guide QII evidence synthesis methods development through a one year iterative telephone, survey and in-person panel process. We developed and empirically tested electronic search and screening methods for identifying QII publications, and a critical appraisal instrument. Finally, we iteratively tested and improved QI-MQCS psychometric properties based on review of 54 electronically searched and systematically screened QII articles. CONCLUSIONS: The QI-MQCS had acceptable psychometric properties for critical appraisal, and can support systematic review of diverse QII evaluations. It is a ready-to-use critical appraisal tool accompanied by a user manual and empirically tested forms and methods.

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