Adjustment and alteration of the quality indicators in the Basic Set (GGZ) for use in child and adolescent psychiatry – M.M.M. Janssen, M. Wensing, R.J. van der Gaag, P.A.M. van Deurzen, J.K. Buitelaar –
background Transparency by means of quality indicators is regarded as a method for monitoring and improving the quality of care. In the Dutch mental health service (GGZ) a generic basic set of indicators has been developed, but it is not clear whether the set is suitable for use in child and adolescent psychiatry.
aim To assess whether the GGZ Basic Set of performance indicators for 2007-2008 was suitable for use in a child and adolescent psychiatric setting and to detect any omissions in that set.
method A heterogeneous national group of eight health professionals and five ‘stakeholders’ in child and adolescent mental health judged the existing Basic Set by means of a Delphi procedure consisting of two written rounds and a panel discussion. The experts assessed potential indicators with regard to necessity, validity, clarity and applicability to child and adolescent psychiatry using a scale of 0 to 9. Indicators scoring more than 7 were considered to be appropriate.
results Only two of the 54 indicators were considered appropriate. A lower cut-off point would leave 16 indicators, of which 10 related to the outcome of treatment. One of the nine proposed innovative indicators was added.
conclusion Very few of the indicators in the Basic Set were considered to be suitable for use in child and adolescent psychiatry. Respondents expressed a preference for a limited number of indicators that emphasised the opinion of the patient and of parents rather than the outcomes of treatment.