Question

What are the dimensions of quality care and why are they important and what has changed since the days when “doctor knows best”?

Answer 1

The dimensions of quality care are:

• Safety
• Effectiveness
• Efficient
• Patient centered
• Timely
• Equality
• Affordability
• Respect

Safety: Health care is for the benefit and safety of the patients and not to harm them.

Effectiveness: Care should be given by using a good body of scientific knowledge, benefitting them. Care should be provided effectively at low cost and using all the resources.

Efficient: Care should be given by using all the resources and wasting of equipment, supplies, manpower and time should be avoided.

Patient centered: Care should be provided based on the patient's preferences, needs and values. The patient's views should be respected.

Timely: The waiting time should be reduced so that it will benefit both the patient and the care giver.

Equality: All individuals should be treated equally and given equal preferences. There should not be inequality based on personal characteristics like gender, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, etc.

Affordability: The health care should be easily available and within the affordable range of the public.

Respect: All patients should be treated with respect. There should not be any discrimination.

Previously, the people used to trust and follow what the doctor advices. But nowadays due to technology and Internet advancements the public are aware of the disease, the treatment and prognosis. So the trend from 'doctor knows best' has changed to the public knows too.