Translating Evidence Into Practice Benchmarking Research Paper

Overall, I felt it was a success.

Benson, HR (1994). An Introduction to Benchmarking in Healthcare. Radiol Manage, 16(4), 34-9.

Question 3

The issue of non-compliance with patients is resulting in alarming re-hospitalization rates as well as poor patient outcomes. In an attempt to reduce the amount of non-compliant patients, a groundbreaking 1976 study attempted to reduce the amount of non-complaint hypertension patients through an improved exam-room decorum. Instead of the doctor simply identifying symptoms and writing a prescription, half the patients had longer visits with doctors where they were educated on their condition and allowed to share their feelings and concerns. In the educated group of this study, 61% of patients took their medication as prescribed. In the control group who experienced a standard physician visit, only 32% followed the doctor's recommendations and took their medication as prescribed.

Researchers on this study followed a Stetler, Iowa, Rosswurm & Larrabee model.They identified the problem of non-compliance among hypertension patients and began collecting data based on how patients interacted with their physicians. The conclusion was quickly reached that there was not enough open communication. The intervention then used was simply getting physicians to communicate better with half of the patients using techniques including symptomatic education, education on medications, listening and responding to patient concerns, and allowing the patient to fully describe their condition, concerns, and questions.

This model allowed a direct link to be found between physician communication and patient outcomes. By only changing one factor during the intervention, the problem was isolated and a fix was found. Once patients were probed about the results and the positive outcome confirmed, this practice could then be fully and regularly implemented.

Inui TS, Yourtee EL, Williamson JW (1976). Improved outcomes in hypertension after physician tutorials. A controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 84(6),.....