Question

First contrast the differences between medical and economic decision making. Then describe the conditions that must be present for a health care provider to receive a positive return on investment in quality improvement.

Then consider how incentives for reimbursement of services can impact some of the decisions that are made in health care delivery that may impact the quality of health care services. what types of incentives can arise under different reimbursement systems and how could these incentives effect the quality of care.

Answer 1

Health Care- Decision making and Services
Medical decision making refers to the process by which a diagnosis or treatment plan is formulated or created from the information available and of known preference of the patients. It may include the plans and strategies to improve the function and the methods to provide the medical services effectively. Economic decision making regarding any, refers to the process of decisions on business and other involving money and finance. Economic decision making are more concerned to the cost effective and efficient utilization of money and resources.
The quality improvements made through investments in healthcare can give the provider a positive return over the investment. The investments made should of cost effective with high efficiency in improving the quality of the facilities. Proper planning and of medical decision making, identifying benefits, intangible benefits that would not be estimated in calculation etc. should be considered before investing on improving quality. Estimating the exact need of quality improvement can increase the ability of the facilities for better medical service, reducing operating costs and increasing demand for services.
Incentives for reimbursement can be influenced by the quality of the health care services and the low cost operations and services. High incentives and reimbursement on quality services can improve the ability of service providers to provide better services and attain the incentives. Different reimbursement system differs in providing the incentives and creates a gap in the time which they are allotted. Reimbursement with less formality and of effective timing can increase the quality and ability of the healthcare system. Improper and ineffective management of reimbursement and incentives can reduce the ability of the system to be efficient and to be of better quality.