Continuity of care: Cochrane review of effects on quality and safety of care and health outcomes
There is evidence that failures in referral and handover affect patient safety and quality, particularly where critical incidents are frequent. The fragmented and distributed nature of healthcare leads to disadvantaged populations falling through gaps in services. Previous reviews have highlighted that interpersonal continuity of care has the greatest potential to impact on a range of outcomes, but there is a lack of synthesized evidence relating to impact on quality, safety and effectiveness of care, including morbidity, mortality and psychosocial outcomes.
The title has been accepted by EPOC Cochrane group and the protocol refined. A first draft of the review will be submitted for editorial approval in December 2009.
Social and cultural processes around reporting of adverse events in maternity care (Sponsored PhD)
The aim of the study is to understand the socio-cultural influences on reporting of adverse events and near misses in maternity care, including an understanding of what influences health care staff in their decision to report or not to report. The thesis is due to be submitted by December 2009.
