Table 1 Key concepts and definitions
Concept | Definition | Example (s) |
|---|---|---|
PM methods | PM methods refer to the particular procedures, processes or tools used to consolidate data on the performance of staff, in the case of this study, registered nurses. | - Conducting annual performance appraisals through 360 ° feedback, peer reviews, behaviourally anchored rating scales (BARS) and critical incidents. |
PM practices | PM practices refer to actual application and use of a PM method, as opposed to theories relating to it. | - The above- mentioned methods are known to be effective in providing performance data; however, in practice, factors such as the users’ attitude towards PM methods, training of rater and ratees as well as the provision of constructive performance feedback may impact on the overall success of a PM system. |
Quality health care/quality of care | The WHO definition of quality of care is the extent to which health care services provided to individuals and communities improve desired health outcomes. Therefore, in order to achieve ‘quality of care’, health care must be safe, effectively, timely, efficient, equitable and people-centred. | - ‘Safe: Delivering health care that minimizes risks and harm to service users, including avoiding preventable injuries and reducing medical errors. - Effective: Providing services based on scientific knowledge and evidence-based guidelines. - Timely: Reducing delays in providing and receiving health care. - Efficient: Delivering health care in a manner that maximizes resource use and avoids waste. - Equitable: Delivering health care that does not differ in quality according to personal characteristics such as gender, race, ethnicity, geographical location or socioeconomic status. - People-centred: Providing care that takes into account the preferences and aspirations of individual service users and the culture of their community.’ [8] |
According to the PCC framework: The targeted population for this review is nurses/nurse practitioners/registered nurses. | Nurses for the purpose of this review refer to nurse practitioners/advanced practice nurses (also referred to as registered nurses). The characteristics of this kind of nurse are shaped by the context and/or country that s/he is credentialed to practice. | For instance, a registered nurse must have acquired the necessary expert knowledge base to work in an environment that requires complex decision-making and clinical competencies for expanded practice. Such nurses can generally work independently in clinics and private practices as primary health care providers. |
Concept (s): Performance management/performance appraisal/performance review | The concept of performance management (for this review) refers to a process of monitoring, reviewing and appraising registered nurses’ work performance over a certain period of time. | - The purpose of this process is to ensure accountability; thus, it would assist nurse managers in administering incentives towards good performance (eg. a performance bonus) and identify gap in one’s performance so to develop/improve one’s ability (training and development needs). The terms performance management, appraisal or review are used to describe this process—the preferred term to use is based on the context/country in which it is used. |
Context: Primary health care | Primary health care refers to health care provided in the community for people initialling a visit to a medical practitioner or clinic for advice/treatment. | - The review is concerned with nurses that work in the primary health care setting. These nurses work at clinics, community-based health care centres, general practices and home-based health services. |