Measuring quality of care

Despite the widely agreed importance of measuring quality of care (QoC), client perspectives are often missing from routine monitoring and studies. The Evidence Project has developed a package of validated, evidence-based tools and training materials to support governments and implementing partners in measuring and monitoring QoC. Measuring QoC from the clients’ perspective will help programs celebrate successes, target areas for improvement, and ultimately improve uptake and continuation of voluntary contraceptive use.

Currently, the documents are available in English and French, but more languages (Odia and Hindi) will be available soon.

Client exit interview tools and data collection manuals

22 questions on quality of care: Questionnaire and data collection manual
A comprehensive measure that captures all four QoC domains: respectful care, method selection, effective use of method chosen, continuity of care. Ideal for special studies, this measure predicts contraceptive continuation.[English │ French]

10 questions on quality of care: Questionnaire and data collection manual
Ideal for routine data collection and monitoring of programs. A proxy measure of the 22 questions (above), adequately measures QoC, predicts contraceptive continuation.
[English │ French]

4 questions of the Method Information Index Plus (MIIplus): Questionnaire and data collection manual
Ideal to use to track progress in QoC at national and subnational levels. Used in DHS and PMA surveys. This measure is a better predictor of contraceptive continuation than the MII alone.
[English │ French]

Sample training agenda and presentation

Sample training agenda for the quality of care (QoC) measures
[EnglishFrench]

Measuring quality of care in family planning
[Presentation in EnglishFrench]

Publications on validation of measures

Metrics for monitoring and improving quality of care in family planning
[Brief available in EnglishFrench]

Validation of two quality of care measures: results from a longitudinal study of reversible contraceptive users in India
[Journal article in Studies in Family Planning]

Adding a question about method switching to the Method Information Index is a better predictor of contraceptive continuation
[Journal article in Global Health: Science and Practice]