<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_sjph-2017-0011_s_007_w2aab2b8c12b1b7b1aab1c15b1Aa"><h3>Introduction</h3><p>There is a limited body of research in the field of healthcare improvement science (HIS). Quality improvement and ‘change making’ should become an intrinsic part of everyone’s job, every day in all parts of the healthcare system. The lack of theoretical grounding may partly explain the minimal transfer of health research into health policy.</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2017-0011_s_008_w2aab2b8c12b1b7b1aab1c15b2Aa"><h3>Methods</h3><p>This article seeks to present the development of the definition for healthcare improvement science. A consensus method approach was adopted with a two-stage Delphi process, expert panel and consensus group techniques. A total of 18 participants were involved in the expert panel and consensus group, and 153 answers were analysed as a part of the Delphi survey. Participants were researchers, educators and healthcare professionals from Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Italy, England, Poland, and Romania.</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2017-0011_s_009_w2aab2b8c12b1b7b1aab1c15b3Aa"><h3>Results</h3><p>A high level of consensus was achieved for the broad definition in the 2nd Delphi iteration (86%). The final definition was agreed on by the consensus group: ‘Healthcare improvement science is the generation of knowledge to cultivate change and deliver person-centred care that is safe, effective, efficient, equitable and timely. It improves patient outcomes, health system performance and population health.’</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2017-0011_s_010_w2aab2b8c12b1b7b1aab1c15b4Aa"><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The process of developing a consensus definition revealed different understandings of healthcare improvement science between the participants. Having a shared consensus definition of healthcare improvement science is an important step forward, bringing about a common understanding in order to advance the professional education and practice of healthcare improvement science.</p></sec></abstract>

IntroductionThere is a limited body of research in the field of healthcare improvement science (HIS). Quality improvement and ‘change making’ should become an intrinsic part of everyone’s job, every day in all parts of the healthcare system. The lack of theoretical grounding may partly explain the minimal transfer of health research into health policy.MethodsThis article seeks to present the development of the definition for healthcare improvement science. A consensus method approach was adopted with a two-stage Delphi process, expert panel and consensus group techniques. A total of 18 participants were involved in the expert panel and consensus group, and 153 answers were analysed as a part of the Delphi survey. Participants were researchers, educators and healthcare professionals from Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Italy, England, Poland, and Romania.ResultsA high level of consensus was achieved for the broad definition in the 2nd Delphi iteration (86%). The final definition was agreed on by the consensus group: ‘Healthcare improvement science is the generation of knowledge to cultivate change and deliver person-centred care that is safe, effective, efficient, equitable and timely. It improves patient outcomes, health system performance and population health.’ConclusionsThe process of developing a consensus definition revealed different understandings of healthcare improvement science between the participants. Having a shared consensus definition of healthcare improvement science is an important step forward, bringing about a common understanding in order to advance the professional education and practice of healthcare improvement science.

The development of a consensus definition for healthcare improvement science (HIS) in seven European countries: A consensus methods approach

Faculty of Health Care Jesenice, Spodnji Plavž 3, 4270 Jesenice,

Institute of Care and Practice Improvement, School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery, University of the West of Scotland, Hamilton, ML3OBA,

Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, Spain, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante,

Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Corsebar Road, Paisley, PA2 9PN,

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

OBLIKOVANJE DOGOVORNE DEFINICIJE ZA POJEM ZNANOST O UVAJANJU IZBOLJŠAV V ZDRAVSTVU (HIS) V SEDMIH EVROPSKIH DRŽAVAH: PRISTOP Z METODAMI KONSENZA

IntroductionThere is a limited body of research in the field of healthcare improvement science (HIS). Quality improvement and ‘change making’ should become an...

The development of a consensus definition for healthcare improvement science (HIS) in seven European countries: A consensus methods approach

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Feb 26, 2017

Page range: 82 - 90

Received: Feb 28, 2016

Accepted: Aug 29, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjph-2017-0011

Keywords
healthcare, improvements, science, consensus methods, definition, Europe

© National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The development of a consensus definition for healthcare improvement science (HIS) in seven European countries: A consensus methods approach

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Feb 26, 2017

Page range: 82 - 90

Received: Feb 28, 2016

Accepted: Aug 29, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjph-2017-0011

Keywordshealthcare, improvements, science, consensus methods, definition, Europe

© National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
healthcare, improvements, science, consensus methods, definition, Europe