Medical audit and the role of the facilitator.

Describes how the Buckinghamshire Medical Audit Advisory Group have approached the introduction of medical audit in primary care. Outlines how the original facilitator model, which proved so successful in encouraging initiatives in coronary heart disease prevention, is now being used to encourage and promote quality initiatives using medical audit techniques. Explores use of the audit cycle and emphasizes the importance of teamwork in enabling change to occur. Outlines the special personal and professional skills required to work in the increasingly complex and dynamic arena of primary care, with a description of how the National Facilitator Development Project has taken on board these educational needs.