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Healthcare system performance improvement A comparison of key policies in seven high‐income countries

Healthcare system performance improvement A comparison of key policies in seven high‐income... Purpose – Evidence suggests that healthcare system performance may be improved with policy emphasis on primary care, quality improvement, and information technology. The authors therefore sought to investigate the extent to which policy makers in seven countries are emphasizing these areas. Design/methodology/approach – Policies in these three areas in seven high‐income countries were compared. A comparative descriptive approach was taken in which each of the country‐specialist authors supplied information on key policies and developments pertaining to primary care, quality improvement and information technology, supplemented with routine data. Findings – Each of the seven countries faces similar challenges with healthcare system performance, yet differs in emphasis on the three key policy areas; efforts in each are, at best, patchy. The authors conclude that there is substantial scope for policy makers to further emphasize primary care, quality improvement and information technology if aiming for high‐performing healthcare systems. Originality/value – This is the first study to investigate policy‐makers' commitment to key areas known to improve health system performance. The comparative method illustrates the different emphases that countries have placed on primary care, quality improvement and information technology development. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Health Organisation and Management Emerald Publishing

Healthcare system performance improvement A comparison of key policies in seven high‐income countries

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2014 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1477-7266
DOI
10.1108/JHOM-03-2013-0057
pmid
24783663
Publisher site
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Abstract

Purpose – Evidence suggests that healthcare system performance may be improved with policy emphasis on primary care, quality improvement, and information technology. The authors therefore sought to investigate the extent to which policy makers in seven countries are emphasizing these areas. Design/methodology/approach – Policies in these three areas in seven high‐income countries were compared. A comparative descriptive approach was taken in which each of the country‐specialist authors supplied information on key policies and developments pertaining to primary care, quality improvement and information technology, supplemented with routine data. Findings – Each of the seven countries faces similar challenges with healthcare system performance, yet differs in emphasis on the three key policy areas; efforts in each are, at best, patchy. The authors conclude that there is substantial scope for policy makers to further emphasize primary care, quality improvement and information technology if aiming for high‐performing healthcare systems. Originality/value – This is the first study to investigate policy‐makers' commitment to key areas known to improve health system performance. The comparative method illustrates the different emphases that countries have placed on primary care, quality improvement and information technology development.

Journal

Journal of Health Organisation and Management – Emerald Publishing

Published: Mar 11, 2014

Keywords: Quality; Primary care; Information technology

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