Using feedback tools to enhance the quality and experience of care

Abstract

In 2019, we issued a call for papers interested in approaches to data-based feedback mechanisms to enhance quality and experience of care, focusing on (health-related) quality of life (HRQL). We were looking for current and innovative state-of-the-art use of data-based feedback mechanisms to enhance quality and experience of care. For the purposes of this special issue, we defined ‘data-based feedback mechanisms’ as systems that generate and capture data during an individual care process and that are fed back into the same individual care process. In line with the scope of our journal covering quality of life aspects of treatment, care, and rehabilitation, we kept ‘care process’ intentionally broad, describing active treatments in inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as supportive care and other interventions extending beyond typical treatment settings. We received the exceptional number of 29 expressions of interest of which 22 papers are now collected in this special issue. For the issue, we have grouped the studies in four sections that align with elements of the call. But as all of the studies were deeply rooted in clinical practice and applications, there are a lot of themes that are common across the studies and sections, and we invite readers to explore and cross-read these papers with their own research and practice in mind. The special issue