Incentivizing Quantity and Quality of Care: Evidence from an Impact Evaluation of Performance-Based Financing in the Health Sector in Tajikistan

Author(s):  
Tashrik Ahmed ◽  
Aneesa Arur ◽  
Damien de Walque ◽  
Gil Shapira
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Brenner ◽  
Caterina Favaretti ◽  
Julia Lohmann ◽  
Jobiba Chinkhumba ◽  
Adamson S. Muula ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Countries in Africa progressively implement performance-based financing schemes to improve the quality of care provided by maternal, newborn and child health services. Beyond its direct effects on service provision, evidence suggests that performance-based financing can also generate positive externalities on service utilization, such as increased use of those services that reached higher quality standards after effective scheme implementation. Little, however, is known about externalities generated within non-incentivized health services, such as positive or negative effects on the quality of services within the continuum of maternal care. Methods We explored whether a performance-based financing scheme in Malawi designed to improve the quality of childbirth service provision resulted positive or negative externalities on the quality of non-targeted antenatal care provision. This non-randomized controlled pre-post-test study followed the phased enrolment of facilities into a performance-based financing scheme across four districts over a two-year period. Effects of the scheme were assessed by various composite scores measuring facilities’ readiness to provide quality antenatal care, as well as the quality of screening, prevention, and education processes offered during observed antenatal care consultations. Results Our study did not identify any statistically significant effects on the quality of ANC provision attributable to the implemented performance-based financing scheme. Our findings therefore suggest not only the absence of positive externalities, but also the absence of any negative externalities generated within antenatal care service provision as a result of the scheme implementation in Malawi. Conclusions Prior research has shown that the Malawian performance-based financing scheme was sufficiently effective to improve the quality of incentivized childbirth service provision. Our findings further indicate that scheme implementation did not affect the quality of non-incentivized but clinically related antenatal care services. While no positive externalities could be identified, we also did not observe any negative externalities attributable to the scheme’s implementation. While performance-based incentives might be successful in improving targeted health care processes, they have limited potential in producing externalities – neither positive nor negative – on the provision quality of related non-incentivized services.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 809-820
Author(s):  
Sandra Leggat ◽  
Cathy Balding

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between frequent turnover (churn) of the chief executive officer (CEO), quality manager and members of the governing board with the management of quality in eight Australian hospitals. Design/methodology/approach A mixed method three-year longitudinal study was conducted using validated quality system scales, quality indicators and focus groups involving over 800 board members, managers and clinical staff. Findings There were unexpected high levels of both governance and management churn over the three years. Churn among CEOs and quality managers was negatively associated with compliance in aspects of the quality system used to plan, monitor and improve quality of care. There was no relationship with the quality of care indicators. Staff identified lack of vision and changing priorities with high levels of churn, which they described as confusing and demotivating. There was no relationship with quality processes or quality indicators detected for churn among governing board members. Practical implications Governing boards must recognise the risks associated with management change and minimise these risks with robust clinical governance processes. Originality/value This research is the first that we are aware of that identifies the impact of frequent leadership turnover in the health sector on quality management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212094512
Author(s):  
MaryJoy Umoke ◽  
Prince Christian Ifeanachor Umoke ◽  
Ignatius O Nwimo ◽  
Chioma Adaora Nwalieji ◽  
Rosemary N Onwe ◽  
...  

Background: Patient satisfaction is an essential parameter in the assessment of quality of care and healthcare facility performance. Objective: To investigate patients’ satisfaction with quality of care in general hospitals in Ebonyi State, South East, Nigeria, using the SERVQUAL. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed on a sample of 400 patients using a 27-item structured open-ended patients’ satisfaction questionnaire with a multi-stage cluster sampling technique. Patients included in the study were those who must have come for an outpatient clinic within the period, be 18 years and above, and those who gave consent to participate. Of 400 questionnaires administered, 396 (99%) were retrieved. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, mean score ( x), and standard deviation, were employed for interpretation. Results: Out of 396 patients, 156 (39.4%) were male and 240 (60.6%) were females. Most patients were 18–39 years (233 (58.8%)), had secondary education (139 (35.1%)), married (221 (55.8%)), earned <18,000 (170(42.9%)), and were traders (136 (34.3%)). Patients were satisfied with tangibility (2.57 ± 0.99) and reliability (2.84 ± 0.95) and very satisfied with responsiveness (3.06 ± 0.63), assurance (3.07 ± 0.63), and empathy (3.12 ± 0.57). Conclusions: Patients were satisfied with the quality of care. However, satisfaction was highest with empathy and lowest with tangibility. Thus, managers should focus their quality improvement efforts on areas of the neat appearance of health workers, waiting facilities for attendants and patients, and hygienic conditions at the hospital. Also, biannual assessment of patients’ satisfaction should be done and the results generated use judiciously to provide a platform for health sector reform.


2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 697-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Göran Dahlgren

The conservative government that came to power in Sweden in 2006 has initiated major market-oriented reforms in the health sector. Its first health care policy bill changed the health legislation to make it possible to sell/transfer public hospitals to commercial providers while maintaining public funding. Far-reaching market-oriented primary health care reforms are also initiated, for example in Stockholm County. They are typically presented as “free choice models” in which “the money follows the patient.” The actual and likely effects of these reforms in terms of access and quality of care are discussed in this article. One main finding is that existing social inequities in geographic access to care not only are reinforced but also become very difficult to change by democratic political decisions. Furthermore, dynamic market forces will gradually reduce the quality of care in low-income areas while both access and quality of care will be even better in high-income areas. Public funds are thus transferred from people living in low-income areas to people living in high-income areas, even though the need for good health services is much greater in the low-income areas. Certain policy options for reversing the inverse law of care are also presented.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamothena Mothupi ◽  
Lucia Knight ◽  
Hanani Tabana

Abstract Objective : This study uses health and non-health sector data sources to select and assess available indicators for service provision along the continuum of care for maternal health at subnational levels in South Africa. It applies the adequacy approach established in another study to assess the multi-dimensionality of available indicators. Using adequacy and the process of assessment in the study, the comprehensiveness of the continuum of care for improving maternal health outcomes can be assessed. Results: We found 27 indicators of care utilization and access, linkages of care, and quality of care from the routine district health information system. The General Household Survey contained 11 indicators for the social determinants of health on the continuum of care framework. Indicator gaps include health promotion during and after pregnancy, maternal nutrition, empowerment and quality of care. At present, the available indicators measure about 74% of the interventions on the continuum of care framework. We make recommendations regarding improvements needed to better measure and monitor the continuum of care for maternal health. These involve actions within the health system and include integration of non-health system indicators.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Gergen ◽  
Erik Josephson ◽  
Martha Coe ◽  
Samantha Ski ◽  
Supriya Madhavan ◽  
...  

The Lancet ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 381 ◽  
pp. S19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igna Bonfrer ◽  
Robert Soeters ◽  
Ellen van de Poel ◽  
Olivier Basenya ◽  
Gashubije Longin ◽  
...  

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fauziah Rabbani ◽  
Imran Naeem Abbasi

Background: Pakistan has a well-established healthcare system with 70% healthcare needs catered by private health sector. The latter's unregulated and unchecked expansion has resulted in quackery and compromised quality of care. This situation analysis provides a snapshot of health system's quality assurance and accreditation processes. Methods: Two validated questionnaires from World health Organization gauged the current state of health care accreditation and quality of care initiatives in Pakistan. Information was obtained from peer reviewed articles, grey literature, policy documents on government websites and newspapers. Results: Pakistan has a number of regulatory bodies responsible for ensuring quality in healthcare through accreditation and defined standards. National Institute of Health issues updated clinical quality guidelines pertaining to disease epidemics. A national quality policy was also formulated in 2004. However, implementing and ensuring accreditation has been challenging. Though statutory bodies are in place for registering different cadres of healthcare professionals, policies and mechanisms regarding licensure of healthcare establishments are missing. Emergence of national health vision 2012-2020, provincial health sector strategies and healthcare commission acts have focused on regulation of private health sector and accreditation of healthcare establishments. Despite presence of regulatory bodies, there are implementation gaps. Conclusion: This paper highlights some important gaps regarding accreditation and quality in healthcare. Quality assurance should be incorporated into national health policies, programs and strategies. National health policy should include explicit laws concerning quality Indicators and standards for quality in health care. Need to regulate private health sector and ensuring quality in overall healthcare is more than ever.


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