COMPETITION AS A STIMULUS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF CARE

Abstract

Goal. To investigate the types, features and principles of competition in health care, their characteristics; objectives of health care providers in competition. Methods. Methods were used: analysis, analogy, deduction, induction, classification, observation, generalization, synthesis. Results. The analysis of the types of studied features and principles of competition in health care, their characteristics; objectives of health care providers in competition. Conclusion. Competition between service providers did not become a stimulus to improve quality of care and cost containment and has not justified hopes which were assigned to this regulatory tool. To improve the structure of medical care necessary to implement a number of legally reinforced activities: 1. To create conditions for the dissemination of information about the results (to facilitate the collection and dissemination of reliable information on the performance of the providers of medical services and prices for their services in all medical conditions, namely: - to establish a procedure for the determination of performance indicators; - to introduce mandatory reporting on the results; - to form the infrastructure for the accumulation and dissemination of information. 2. To improve the methodology of pricing, namely: - to set prices for episodes and cycles of care; - to minimize price discrimination. 3. To stimulate competition at the appropriate level, namely: - to eliminate the artificial obstacles to the integration of different areas of medical practice; - require justification of values at discharge assignments or referrals that contain a certain economic interest. 4. To set standards and rules governing the development and implementation of information technologies and dissemination of information, namely: - to develop standards that ensure interoperability of software and technical means; - to develop standards for registration of medical data; - to improve identification procedures and confidentiality in the use of personal data; - to create incentives for the implementation of information technologies. 5. To establish a system of prevention of medical errors. 6. Modify the strategies and methods of work of health authorities and insurers. 7. To invest in medical and clinical research.