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Systematic quality monitoring for specialized palliative care services: development of a minimal set of
quality indicators for palliative care study (QPAC).

Leemans, K., Deliens, L., Block, L. van den, Stichele, R. Vander, Francke, A., Cohen, J. Systematic quality monitoring for specialized palliative care services: development of a minimal set of quality indicators for palliative care study (QPAC). European Journal of Palliative Care: 2017, p. 292. Abstract. In: Abstractbook 15th World congress of the European associationn for Palliative care: Progressing Palliative Care. 18-20 mei 2017, Madrid.
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Background
A feasibility evaluation of a comprehensive quality indicator set for palliative care identified the need for a minimal selection of these indicators to monitor quality of palliative care services with short questionnaires for the patients, caregivers, and family carers. Therefore we aimed at developing a minimal indicator set for efficient quality assessment in palliative care.

Methods
We performed a 2 round modified Research ANd Development corporation in collaboration with the University of California at Los Angeles(RAND/UCLA) expert consultation with Thirteen experts in palliative care (professionals and patient representatives).In a home assignment, the experts were asked to score 80 developed indicators for ‘’priority’’ to
be included in the minimal set on a scale from 0 (lowest priority) to 9 (highest priority). The second round consisted of a plenary meeting in which the minimal set was finalized.

Results
Thirty-nine of the 80 indicators were discarded, while 19 were definitely selected after the home assignment, and 22 were proposed for discussion during the meeting; 12 of these survived the selection round. The final minimal indicator set for palliative care consists of 5 indicators about the physical aspects of care; 6 about the psychosocial aspects of care; 13 about information, communication, and care planning; 5 about type of care; and 2 about continuity of care.
Conclusion: A minimal set of 31 indicators reflecting all the important issues in palliative care was created for palliative care services to assess the quality of their care in a quick and efficient manner. Additional topic-specific optional modules are available for more thorough assessment of specific aspects of care.