Quality matters: junior doctors’ perceptions

Presents the results of an empirical study of junior doctors’ views on quality and clinical audit in health care. Claims that the requirement for annual efficiency gains and rising patient expectations, together with the realization that the “costs of quality” can consume between 30 and 50 per cent of costs, has brought quality in health care to the forefront. In this context, and because much of the medical care is delivered by junior doctors, studies their perceptions on dimensions of quality in health care, their knowledge of, and participation in, clinical audit and the obstacles to providing quality care. Makes a striking finding ‐ the low priority given to patient satisfaction ‐ a perspective which is out of alignment with the priorities of government policy, and the whole philosophy of “quality in service”. Asserts that the role, significance and outcome of clinical audit as a quality improvement tool is cast into doubt by these consultants of tomorrow.