Quite a ComplicatedTask

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality placed it best:

“Getting quality health care can help you stay healthy and recover faster when you become sick. However, we know that often people do not get high-quality care. A 2004 study of 12 large U.S. communities found that just over half (54.9 percent) [substandard care] of people were receiving the care they needed.

What exactly is health care quality? We know that quality means different things to different people. Some people think that getting quality health care means seeing the doctor right away, being treated courteously by the doctor's staff, or having the doctor spend a lot of time with them.

While these things are important to all of us, clinical quality of care is even more important. Think of it like this: getting quality health care is like taking your car to a mechanic. The people in the shop can be friendly and listen to your complaints [like patient satisfaction with the services, facilities, and the outcome], but the most important thing is whether they fix the problem with your car.

Health care providers, the government, and many other groups are working hard to improve health care quality. You also have a role to play to make sure you and your family members receive the best quality care possible.”

How should we address these issues?
Expand on the importance of having a health society over money. Therefore, understanding the needs of our diverse populations and meeting the health needs of these populations. There have been cultural competence models developed in order to target race and have better understanding of culture as a factor to health outcomes. Such models should be developed to outreach to larger communities.

Why does it seem so difficult to improve quality?
Diversity and lack of resources between different groups.

What do you think makes for “good” quality of care?
A concern for the individual and not for compensation. In order to provide quality care, we understand that there is a need to treat the patient like an individual, but also provide the access to care (both treatment and preventive) to all.