Development of quality indicators for physiotherapy care

Quality indicators are indirect measures of quality within an area. The development of quality indicators is based on transparent and systematic methods where professional as well as value-based considerations are combined. It is recommended to use a formalized consensus process; the RAND/UCLA method. The aim is that final indicators are assessed according to relevance, utility, evidence and feasibility. Quality indicators may be useful tools when describing and evaluating quality in physiotherapy care to different patients groups. It is required that both patients and physiotherapists participate in all stages of the development process, in order to secure legitimacy. The article describes the different stages in a developmental process. The preparation of quality indicators for physiotherapy to patients with spondyloarthritis is used as an illustration