TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality assessment systems in rehabilitation services for people with a disability in Greece
T2 - A critical review
AU - Dimitriadis, Vassilios
AU - Kousoulis, Antonis A.
AU - Markaki, Adelais
AU - Sgantzos, Markos N.
AU - Hadjipavlou, Alexander
AU - Lionis, Christos
PY - 2013/7
Y1 - 2013/7
N2 - Background: Despite international interest on quality assessment systems (QAS) and their importance in health care accreditation, implementation of a Rehabilitation Services Quality Measurement System still remains a neglected subject in Greece. Objective: To identify appropriate tools for researchers and policy makers to assess the quality of rehabilitation services in Greece, within the current active debate on national health care reform. Methods: A critical review methodology was undertaken, using a systematic approach, aiming to identify the most appropriate tools in the field. Multi-step strategy was followed to gather relevant data, including bibliographical database, internet and hand searches. Results: Twenty-two studies, articles and documents were identified as meeting all inclusion criteria, representing four QAS, compared according to appropriateness, efficiency, and feasibility for general use. The European Quality in Social Services (EQUASS) was evaluated as meeting all of the desired features, such as proper certification, objective measuring, equality, education and training, established guidelines and person-centered approach. Conclusions: EQUASS initiative, developed according to European standards and implemented in resource-limited settings, was recognized as the most adaptive and appropriate system for Greek rehabilitation settings. Health policy makers are urged to take findings into consideration in establishing an integrated, quality-assured rehabilitation system throughout the country.
AB - Background: Despite international interest on quality assessment systems (QAS) and their importance in health care accreditation, implementation of a Rehabilitation Services Quality Measurement System still remains a neglected subject in Greece. Objective: To identify appropriate tools for researchers and policy makers to assess the quality of rehabilitation services in Greece, within the current active debate on national health care reform. Methods: A critical review methodology was undertaken, using a systematic approach, aiming to identify the most appropriate tools in the field. Multi-step strategy was followed to gather relevant data, including bibliographical database, internet and hand searches. Results: Twenty-two studies, articles and documents were identified as meeting all inclusion criteria, representing four QAS, compared according to appropriateness, efficiency, and feasibility for general use. The European Quality in Social Services (EQUASS) was evaluated as meeting all of the desired features, such as proper certification, objective measuring, equality, education and training, established guidelines and person-centered approach. Conclusions: EQUASS initiative, developed according to European standards and implemented in resource-limited settings, was recognized as the most adaptive and appropriate system for Greek rehabilitation settings. Health policy makers are urged to take findings into consideration in establishing an integrated, quality-assured rehabilitation system throughout the country.
KW - Certification
KW - EQUASS
KW - Greece
KW - Quality
KW - Rehabilitation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84879218723&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.dhjo.2013.01.005
DO - 10.1016/j.dhjo.2013.01.005
M3 - Review article
C2 - 23769474
AN - SCOPUS:84879218723
SN - 1936-6574
VL - 6
SP - 157
EP - 164
JO - Disability and Health Journal
JF - Disability and Health Journal
IS - 3
ER -