Audit in psychiatry

Abstract

Medical audit has been defined as the systematic, critical analysis of the quality of medical care, including the procedures used for diagnosis and treatment, the use of resources and the resulting outcome and quality of life for the patient (DOH, 1989). The White Paper Working for Patients states that the Government proposes that every consultant should participate in a form of medical audit agreed between management and the profession locally. It also states that management should be able to initiate an independent professional audit.