Goals and methods of audit should be reappraised

Abstract
# Pragmatic methods need to be developed {#article-title-2} EDITOR,—We agree with R A Fulton that audit in the NHS should be urgently reappraised.1 The government white paper's definition of audit has been regurgitated ad nauseam as if repetition of the words “systematic” and “critical” can imprint those characteristics on an ill conceived, badly directed audit programme that has produced little of benefit to patients and doctors. Audit was initially held to be of value in assessing medical practice against local standards but has evolved conceptually …