Improving the quality of primary healthcare in Kosovo: Impact of targeted training of Quality Coordinators

Introduction and objectives

This study focuses on enhancing the professional skills of Quality Coordinators (QCs) in primary healthcare (PHC) in Kosovo. The QCs are responsible for internal quality supervision of public PHC institutions, but their competencies for quality improvement are unknown. The objective was to enhance the professional skills of QCs through targeted training, aiming to improve healthcare quality.

Methods

The study involved determining the basic characteristics of QCs, assessing knowledge of quality standards before and after the training via a questionnaire; providing 2 training sessions; and, evaluating the impact of training on organizational adherence to healthcare quality standards. Mean, percentage, p-value, confidence interval, t-test, and rmcor were used as test statistics.

Results

There was a statistically significant increase in the QCs' knowledge of the quality standards before (x̅=11.4, SD = 2.9) and after the training (x̅=23.4, SD = 8.3), p = .011, 95% CI [3.9728, 20.0272]. Before the training, the adherence to quality standards was 83.1% (x̅=26.6, SD = 3.4), while after the training, it increased to 87.5% (x̅=28.0, SD = 3.9), and this difference was statistically significant p = .047, 95% CI [0.0303, 2.8268].

Conclusion

The study highlights the need for continuous quality-related training and appropriate tools and resources to improve and maintain quality in PHC. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of sex and age and the possible role redefinition of QCs.