Effects of 'NHGDoc' on Quality of Care (NHGDoc)

Effects of the Computerized Decision Support System 'NHGDoc' on Quality of Care: a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the computerized decision support system 'NHGDoc' is effective in improving quality of primary care in terms of processes of care (e.g. prescribing behavior of physicians) as well as outcomes of care (e.g. hospital admissions, mortality).

Computerized decision support systems are regarded as useful tools to improve quality of care, but their effects are still uncertain. In the Netherlands 'NHGDoc' a computerized decision support system supported by the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) is currently being implemented among more than 1.000 general practices in the Netherlands. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of NHGDoc on quality of care. In addition, we want to gain insight into the barriers and facilitators that affect the systems' impact. A cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted among 120 general practices in the Netherlands. Eligible practices will be randomized to receive either the regular NHGDoc modules (control arm) or the regular modules and an additional module on heart failure (intervention arm). The effect evaluation will focus on processes of care (e.g. prescription behavior) as well as on patient outcomes (e.g. hospital admissions, mortality). Additionally, a process evaluation will be conducted, which includes a focus group study and a survey among participating healthcare providers to evaluate the perceived barriers and facilitators to using 'NHGDoc'. Results of this study will provide insight in the ability of computerized decision support systems and in particular 'NHGDoc' to improve quality of primary care. Whereas the trial focuses on a specific NHGDoc domain - heart failure - we believe our conclusions are relevant to other primary care areas as well, particularly as this study also explores the factors that contribute to the systems' effectiveness.

Computerized Decision Support System, Heart failure, Effects on quality of care, Process of care, Patient outcomes

Healthcare providers receive patient specific alerts in terms of diagnosing and treatment of patients with heart failure

Inclusion Criteria: General practices should use the information system MicroHIS X or Promedico ASP NHGDoc should be available in the general practices Exclusion Criteria: General practices that do not meet the inclusion criteria

Lugtenberg M, Pasveer D, van der Weijden T, Westert GP, Kool RB. Exposure to and experiences with a computerized decision support intervention in primary care: results from a process evaluation. BMC Fam Pract. 2015 Oct 16;16:141. doi: 10.1186/s12875-015-0364-0.

Lugtenberg M, Westert GP, Pasveer D, van der Weijden T, Kool RB. Evaluating the uptake and effects of the computerized decision support system NHGDoc on quality of primary care: protocol for a large-scale cluster randomized controlled trial. Implement Sci. 2014 Oct 17;9:145. doi: 10.1186/s13012-014-0145-5.