Development and pilot study of the Primary Care Practice Improvement Tool (PC‐PIT): an innovative approach

Objective: To assess the usability and validity of the Primary Care Practice Improvement Tool (PC‐PIT), a practice performance improvement tool based on 13 key elements identified by a systematic review. It was co‐created with a range of partners and designed specifically for primary health care. Design: This pilot study examined the PC‐PIT using a formative assessment framework and mixed‐methods research design. Setting and participants: Six high‐functioning general practices in Queensland, Australia, between February and July 2013. A total of 28 staff participated — 10 general practitioners, six practice or community nurses, 12 administrators (four practice managers; one business manager and eight reception or general administrative staff). Main outcome measures: Readability, content validity and staff perceptions of the PC‐PIT. Results: The PC‐PIT offers an appropriate and acceptable approach to internal quality improvement in general practice. Quantitative assessment scores and qualitative data from all staff identified two areas in which the PC‐PIT required modification: a reduction in the indicative reading age, and simplification of governance‐related terms and concepts. Conclusion: The PC‐PIT provides an innovative approach to address the complexity of organisational improvement in general practice and primary health care. This initial validation will be used to develop a suite of supporting, high‐quality and free‐to‐access resources to enhance the use of the PC‐PIT in general practice. Based on these findings, a national trial is now underway.