Open AccessCultural Consensus Analysis as a Tool for Clinic Improvements
Author(s) -
Smith C. Scott,
Morris Magdalena,
Hill William,
Francovich Chris,
McMullin Juliet,
Chavez Leo,
Rhoads Caroline
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of general internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.746
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 1525-1497
pISSN - 0884-8734
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2004.30061.x
Subject(s) - medicine , psychological intervention , focus group , value (mathematics) , ethnography , family medicine , nursing , anthropology , statistics , mathematics , sociology
Some problems in clinic function recur because of unexpected value differences between patients, faculty, and residents. Cultural consensus analysis (CCA) is a method used by anthropologists to identify groups with shared values. After conducting an ethnographic study and using focus groups, we developed and validated a CCA tool for use in clinics. Using this instrument, we identified distinct groups with 6 important value differences between those groups. An analysis of these value differences suggested specific and pragmatic interventions to improve clinic functioning. The instrument has also performed well in preliminary tests at another clinic.