6.H. Workshop: Quality strategies in European health systems: assessing their nature, use and effectiveness

Abstract

Abstract Quality of care is one of the most frequently quoted principles of health policy, and is currently high up on the agenda of policy-makers at national, European, and international levels. However, the understanding of the term and what it encompasses varies. Many organizations and movements, such as evidence-based medicine, health technology assessment, provider accreditation, clinical practice guidelines and patient safety, play an important role in improving quality of health care. However, this broad field of quality-related initiatives is fragmented, and there is often a lack of awareness about parallel activities because of different labels. Evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different quality strategies is not always readily available for policy-makers, who have to struggle with prioritizing initiatives for investment. To provide a solid foundation for addressing these challenges, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies in collaboration with the OECD has put together a comprehensive study on health care quality, its interpretation and the evidence on different strategies aiming to assure or improve it. Drawing on this 2019 study, the workshop has the following objectives: Provide an understanding of the multidimensional concept of quality of care and its relation to health system performance as well as a comprehensive framework for looking at different strategies and their potential contribution to improving health care quality;Introduce key components of international and European governance for quality of care;Highlight the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and implementation of selected quality strategies, with a focus on the European context:Health professional regulation, including education, licensing and registration, continuous professional development and mechanisms to ensure fitness to practice;External institutional strategies for health care organizations, including accreditation, certification and supervision;“Pay for Quality”, wherein financial incentives are paid to providers or professionals for achieving quality-related targets within a specific timeframe.Discuss and refine lessons learned through audience participation, and identify further areas for research and action. Key messages Quality of care is a political priority and an important contributor to population health. Within an overall strategic framework, understanding the potential of different quality strategies is key. Evidence on the (cost-)effectiveness of different quality strategies is variable but largely inconclu-sive. Maintaining an overview and identifying areas for action is paramount for policy-makers.