Objective

The purpose of the metrics toolkit is to provide a comprehensive and accessible database of metrics derived from a systematic literature review and linked to a conceptual framework of the specialty referral episode of care. The toolkit is designed for audiences intending to evaluate the structure, processes, and outcomes of the specialty referral process using validated measures found in the published literature and government reports.

Instructions

The toolkit is a compilation of validated measures identified from a systematic literature review and validated by a panel of national and international experts. The metrics are categorized into domains based on a conceptual framework capturing the need for specialty care, decision-making, communication, coordination, referral tasks, quality, and outcomes. Instructions for use of the toolkit are as follows:

  1. To identify a metric(s) run a search using either the Conceptual Framework or Search Engine:
    1. Conceptual Framework: The framework is organized into domains and sub-domains, and you can identify which aspects of the framework correspond with your interests. Each domain and sub-domain is hyperlinked to a list of relevant metrics, and selection of a concept will route you to a corresponding set of metrics.
    2. Search Engine: You may search through the metrics by domain, operational measure, or keyword. If you choose to narrow your search by domain, please be aware that multiple conceptual domains and sub-domains may be selected to accommodate a range of interests.
  2. After initiation of a search, you will be directed to a page with a list of metrics that match your search terms. Each metric will contain the metric name, definition, metric ID, and study ID(s). We have assigned each metric to a unique metric ID to avoid confusion with similar sounding names. Each metric is linked to its source studies through the study ID. To see how this works, select a metric ID, which is linked to a full description of the metric listed in the appendix. The description consists of the metric name, description, data source, reliability, validity, and the original instrument if available. To identify the source studies for a given metric, select a study ID, which is linked to a summary of the study and a link to the abstract in the appendix.
  3. The published manuscript or abstract is provided for a more in depth understanding of the study aims, search strategy, conceptual framework, results, conclusions, and implications. The manuscript is accessibility through the following link: _________________.

At the top of each page, there is a hyperlinked toolbar, which directs you one of the following pages: