[The network of the EASY-NET programme: a contribution to knowledge on the effectiveness of audit&feedback]

Abstract

This work is the third in a series of articles dedicated to the EASY-NET network programme. The first article described the rationale, structure, and methodologies; while the second evaluated the adherence of individual audit&feedback A&F interventions tested in EASY-NET to literature recommendations. This contribution provides a concise summary of the effectiveness results of A&ented by clinical and organizational areas: chronic disease management, emergency territorial and hospital care for acute conditions, post-acute rehabilitation, hospital oncology care, childbirth, and caesarean sections. In alignment with existing literature, the results on the effectiveness of A&F, in terms of measurable improvement, were observed across all settings, although to varying degrees and more significantly in processes than in outcomes. Key elements that proved to be fundamental to the implementation of A&F interventions include the importance of institutions in making A&F systematic, continuous, and a priority for healthcare professionals; the central role of the required and available data for preparing feedback; the involvement of A&F recipients in the whole path, from the design of the interventions to the discussion of results and improvement actions. A final consideration, in light of the activities conducted and the results achieved, suggests that integrating research into practice and practice into research is essential to ensure, on one hand, the transferability of evidence into operations and, on the other hand, the design of studies that are feasible and integrable into daily activities - a necessary aspect to optimize resources.

Keywords: health outcomes; audit&feedback; care pathways; health information systems; quality improvement.