Getting Started

This assignment investigates the challenges incumbent with assessing quality in healthcare. Various measures are used, but are these measures effective and well suited for the future? Not only must national healthcare measures reflect desired outcomes, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions in the system remains an important aspect of continuous improvement.

Upon successful completion of the course material, you will be able to:

• Assess the challenges when using outcomes as a basis for assessing quality.

Resources

• Textbook: Changing the U.S. Health Care System: Key Issues in Health Services Policy and Management
• Video: Ideas for Tomorrow: Michael Porter Presentation

Background Information

The need to measure healthcare quality is obvious, but how it is accomplished is complex. A variety of methods are used to assess healthcare quality in the United States, but which methods are most effective? What tools are needed to evaluate performance at all levels of the system? Some experts propose that medical outcomes are a critical component of quality assessment, and much is written about this “quality of life” focus. This concept is built upon the premise that the patient determines for themselves what “quality of life” means, which leaves many unanswered questions regarding consistency across demographic, cultural, racial, and socio-economic variations. Even still, outcome assessment has emerged as a critical aspect of healthcare policy.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Review chapters 11-13, in Changing the U.S. Health Care System: Key Issues in Health Services Policy and Management.
3. Review Discussion 4.1 – Devotion.
4. View the Ideas for Tomorrow: Michael Porter Presentation video.
5. Write a three-page reflection paper discussing your learning from, and critical analysis of, the material. In your paper, be sure to address the challenges associated with using outcomes as a basis for assessing quality. Note: The page count does not include title and reference pages.
6. In the paper, be sure to:
   1. Include an introduction and conclusion.
   2. Define, describe, and illustrate each key concept.
   3. Apply biblical principles where appropriate.
   4. Defend your position, citing research and/or evidence to support your arguments.
7. Your paper should include at least two citations from the video, textbook, articles, or other credible sources. Your citations must be in proper APA format.
8. Submit your draft using the Assignment submission page (TurnItIn will be enabled) prior to submitting your final paper.
9. When you’ve completed your assignment, save a copy for yourself and submit a copy to your instructor using the Assignment submission page (TurnItIn will be enabled) by the end of the workshop.