How can we assess quality of care in surgeryí

Abstract

This chapter explores and outlines existing research in the area of quality of care and identifies methods by which future research should be conducted. Before we try and assess quality of care, we must first be able to define it, although this in itself is complicated by the complexity of interacting factors that determine quality health care. The characterisation by a conceptual model of structure-process-outcome and the importance of health economics is discussed. The proposed attributes of health care which can define its quality are also presented. Existing initiatives that benchmark quality of care have a tendency to be generic and give us only an indication of minimum standards. The components of future assessment tools for quality of care are proposed along with how frontline quality improvement can be facilitated by conceptual frameworks for designing health system reforms and engaging contemporary managerial capabilities. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.