Effects of Public Reporting Programs: Organizing and Synthesizing the Literature

Abstract

Public Reporting (PR) of quality data is a common instrument to support transparency, accountability, and quality improvement in modern health care systems. Although, programs exist for 30 years, signals for its efficacy are inconclusive and new measurement schemes enjoy great popularity. The aim of this study was a realist view of the current literature dealing with effects of PR and finding answers on the broad and often unquestioned use by health authorities. This review considered literature from relevant databases and included all type of studies. In a kind of map, authors organized the research based on different paradigms and theories. Results indicate, first, patients rarely use the reported data. Second, providers show limited usage as well, but it is the more promising way which could lead to quality improvement. This review suggests that PR is a popular topic in different academic fields and health care policy. Despite of its high use, PR often does not show its full potential. Pure rational approaches to describe the effect of PR fall short. Further research should strive to do better by paying more attention to the breadth, theories, and context of the field as well as collective solution-finding among academia, policy, and practice. Keywords: quality improvement, delivery of health care, health policy, information dissemination, quality indicators, health care