Practice visits: a pilot study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the paper is to report a pilot study of practice visits. METHOD: The study involved 35 psychiatrists as hosts and/or visitors, as well as four non-psychiatrist visitors, with the model and subsequent design changes described. RESULTS: The Quality Assurance Committee's rationale for practice visits is detailed, together with several focal concerns raised by committee members and other Fellows of the College. CONCLUSIONS: Feedback was highly positive, with visitors being generally more positive and enthusiastic than hosts. A follow-up questionnaire indicated ongoing enthusiasm for such an activity and provided evidence of participants making changes to their practices. Identified concerns and some suggested modifications to the pilot study design are noted.