This research project primarily focuses on the development of AUDIT and Feedback in general practice. An AUDIT is a search in the electronic medical record (EMR) and consists of one or more queries. A query calculates the number of patients who meet a specific quality indicator, e.g., the number of diabetes patients who had an HbA1c measurement in the past year. Feedback aims to give general practitioners insight into the quality of their record-keeping and the quality of care they provide. Using benchmarking, practices can compare their performance with other practices in the Intego network. Intego serves as a testing ground for developing AUDIT and Feedback. With barometer technology, this can be scaled up to all general practitioners in Belgium (see Barometers).
Since Intego data is extracted from the EMR, close collaboration with software developers is essential. Together with developers, the best solutions are sought to ensure user-friendly data entry in the EMR. Developers are also key partners in the development of the barometers.
This research project also explores linking with other databases. Initially, this is done by aggregating data from other databases into population dashboards. Additionally, data is linked at the individual patient level. For example, a link has already been established with the database of the Intermutualistic Agency (IMA).
The ultimate goal of this research project is to map Triple Aim (and later Quadruple and Quintuple Aim) indicators for a specific geographic entity such as a neighborhood, primary care zone, or province. Triple Aim refers to:
Quadruple Aim adds the quality of life of the healthcare provider, and Quintuple Aim adds equity in healthcare. This ultimate goal is only achievable through close collaboration with other data partners such as IMA, pharmacists (FarmaFlux), and Sciensano.
Ongoing research lines: