A background for national quality policies in health systems

Abstract

Charles D. Shaw and Isuf Kalo World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe: http://www.who.dk, 2002 WHO Reference no: EUR/02/5037153; 53 pp. This WHO publication is an excellent resource book on health system quality in Europe. It is in two parts. The first part aims to provide Ministers of Health and other policy makers with background information on common definitions and issues surrounding quality of health systems and health care. The second part offers a framework and principles for a national quality strategy. It contains many examples of current approaches, policies and projects from different countries, containing some 17 tables as well as five annexes. It cites 126 references, including many web sites. While the book is targeted at WHO member states, its basic premise is almost universally applicable, namely that the growth of technology and information, the demands for transparency and public accountability, and the limits of financial and human resources oblige countries to describe and reform their health system according to internationally recognized standards of structures, process, performance and results. Being able to demonstrate that their quality strategies or policies are based on experience and scientific evidence is an important theme. Part one provides the context of quality …