Using "roll-up" measures in healthcare quality reports: perspectives of report sponsors and national alliances.

Cerully JL1, Martino SC, Rybowski L, Finucane ML, Grob R, Parker AM, Schlesinger M, Shaller D, Martsolf G.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To understand the views of prominent organizations in the field of healthcare quality on the topic of reporting roll-up measures that combine indicators of multiple, often disparate, dimensions of care to consumers.

STUDY DESIGN:

This study used a semi-structured, qualitative interview design.

METHODS:

We conducted 30- to 60-minute semi-structured telephone interviews with representatives of 10 organizations that sponsor public healthcare quality reports and 3 national alliances representing multiple stakeholder groups. We conducted a thematic analysis of interview transcriptions to identify common issues and concerns related to reporting roll-up measures.

RESULTS:

Among sponsors reporting roll-up measures, current practices for calculating and reporting these measures are diverse. The main perceived benefit of reporting roll-up measures is that they simplify large amounts of complex information for consumers. The main concern is the potential for consumers to misunderstand the measures and what associated roll-up scores communicate about provider performance. Report sponsors and national alliances feel that more guidance and research on the methods for producing and reporting scores for roll-up measures are needed.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the interviews elucidate the need for research focused on construction and reporting of roll-up measures. Studies are needed to determine if roll-up measures are indeed perceived by consumers as being less complex and easier to understand.