Question

Describe what is meant by “structure, process, and outcome” in assessing of the quality of medical care. Give some examples of each dimension. How are the three dimensions related?

Answer 1

While assessing the quality of medical care provided we have to ensure the basic components of healthcare services.

Structural measure means measures of the characteristics of organisation . For example - staffing ratio.

Process measure means the interaction between the staff , series of action ,changes that brings a results . For example -CT scan

Outcome measure means the result of the process or procedure done to make a ethical decisions regarding patient care . For example - decrease in the size of lump after having chemotherapy .

These components are interconnected to each other and are in link one after another .No step can't be jumped , patients has to go through each of components to get a evidence based care .

Dimensions of quality in healthcare services are :-

- Accreditation and certification of hospitals , community based health care clinics

- Quality performance measurement and improvement

- Patient safety assurance and harm prevention

- Patient experiences and perception of care.

The health care system has to ensure each of the dimensions for the effective outcome . Disruption in any of the dimensions would decrease the effectiveness of healthcare services.