What is Q.REC?
Q.REC is a validated approach to measuring the quality of refractive error care. It uses trained, undercover patients to observe how well eye care professionals identify and treat refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Q.REC studies produces data that helps highlight areas for improvement and supports targeted efforts to deliver better eye care for everyone.
Vision & Mission
Vision
A world where everyone, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, has access to high-quality, effective, refractive error care.
Mission
To provide global access to a validated methodology for assessing the quality of refractive error care so that targeted advocacy efforts can drive systemic improvements in eye health services, policy and regulatory changes to achieve universal access to optimal refractive error care.
Why do we need Q.REC?
The need for quality refractive error care
Uncorrected refractive errors impact 671 million people worldwide. In 2021, the UN General Assembly pledged to improve eye health for 1.1 billion individuals with vision impairment by 2030, identifying effective refractive error care (eREC) as a critical benchmark for progress. Achieving these ambitious goals requires reliable indicators to assess service quality and monitor outcomes, driving meaningful and measurable change.
Uncorrected Refractive Error Globally
671
million
people live with vision loss due to uncorrected refractive error
Q.REC Resources
Who uses the results from a Q.REC study?
Policy & Government
Q.REC provides policymakers with real time data to assess refractive error care quality and develop evidence-based approaches and standards to strengthen healthcare systems and progress toward universal coverage.
Training & Curriculum providers
Q.REC provides evidence-based recommendations to enhance training programs and curricula by identifying specific areas where training programs and curricula can be refined.
Healthcare Providers
Service providers use Q.REC to evaluate care quality, identify areas for improvement, and ensure consistent standards across multiple locations, ultimately enhancing patient care.
NGOs & Aid Organisations
Organisations can measure program effectiveness, justify funding decisions, and demonstrate impact to stakeholders through Q.REC’s standardized assessment methodology.
Research Institutions
Researchers utilize Q.REC to study vision care delivery systems, evaluate interventions, and develop quality metrics that advance understanding of effective eye care provision.
Steps for Implementing a Q.REC Study
1. Planning
Assess feasibility, map providers, calculate sample size, secure approvals, and prepare budgets and timelines.
2. Recruitment
Identify and screen potential USPs.
3. Training
Provide study optometrists and USPs with structured training programs, conduct quality assurance checks.
4. Data Collection
USPs visit optical stores systematically, dispensed spectacles are checked for quality.
5. Analysis
Use standard Q.REC indicators to prepare meaningful insights about the factors that influence the quality of refractive error care.
6. Advocacy & Dissemination
Share findings with stakeholders and use results to drive improvements in refractive error care.
About
The Q.REC Toolkit is an initiative led by The Fred Hollows Foundation. Focused on addressing the leading global cause of correctable vision impairment, Q.REC evaluates and enhances the quality of refractive error services worldwide. Using evidence-based methodologies like the innovative use of Unannounced Standardised Patients (USPs), Q.REC identifies gaps in care and drives improvements in clinical practices and policies. With tools, training, and data-driven insights, Q.REC empowers governments, healthcare providers, and communities to deliver effective, equitable, and people-centered eye care, advancing progress toward Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Completed Q.REC Projects
Cambodia
The Q.REC project has led to significant conversation with policymakers, with Cambodia’s National Program for Eye Health developing new regulatory measures to enhance service quality across refractive error services providers.
Vietnam
The first Q.REC project pilot in Vietnam contributed to establishing an optometry job code, setting professional standards and recognizing the emerging field of optometry.
Connect
For all inquiries: FHFResearchUnit@hollows.org.
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