Sample and recruitment

Participants were recruited through a mix of purposive and snowball sampling, initially using contacts known to the researchers, then inviting other experts recommended by the participants. Stakeholders were selected for their expertise locally and/or internationally (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)-based countries) in topics relating to quality improvement and/or patient surveys, including the design, implementation and coordination of survey programmes, with a focus on primary care. Participants who were actively engaged in patient care and service improvement were invited from academia, clinical practice, consumer representative organisations and primary health governance or administration (eg, employees of primary health networks (PHNs)). Individuals were informed that participation was voluntary and that they would not be remunerated. Letters of invitation and study background documents were emailed to a total of 37 experts.