The relationship between social deprivation and the quality of primary care: a national survey using indicators from the UK Quality and Outcomes Framework.

摘要: Background The existence of health inequalities between least and most socially deprived areas is now well established. Aim To use Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators to explore the characteristics primary care in communities. Design study Two-year study. Setting Primary England. Method QOF data were obtained for each practice England 2004–2005 2005–2006 linked with census derived social deprivation (Index Multiple Deprivation scores 2004), national urbanicity a database characteristics. Data available 8480 practices 8264 2005–2006. Comparisons made quintiles. Results difference mean total score quintiles was 64.5 points (mean score, all practices, 959.9) 30.4 (mean, 1012.6). In 2005–2006, displaying largest differences were: recall patients not attending appointments injectable neuroleptics (79 versus 58%, respectively), opening ≥45 hours/week (90 74%), conducting ≥12 significant event audits previous 3 years (93 81 %), proportion epileptics who seizure free months (77 65%) taking lithium serum within therapeutic range 78%). Geographical less group training practices. Conclusions Overall quality prosperous communities small. However, shortfalls specific indicators, both clinical non-clinical, suggest that focused interventions could be applied improve areas.