Health services and health systems evaluation
Journal Title: Αρχεία Ελληνικής Ιατρικής - Year 2007, Vol 24, Issue 1
Abstract
This article reviews the concept and methods of evaluation in health care. Evaluation should be considered a necessary component in the planning, organization and administration of every health service or health system, and it can be made at four levels: inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes. Evaluation should use specific, widely accepted criteria, of which effectiveness, efficiency and equity are considered the most important. Equity is rated first on the priority list of those who view health as a public good. Comprehensive evaluation should cover all levels and include a combination of different criteria. Health service evaluation usually attempts to assess the extent of accomplishment of the objectives of either the service as a whole or its individual health programs. This can be achieved by selection of specific indices and application of suitable methods. Many methods are available, of which randomized controlled trials play the major role in health services research methodology. As far as health systems are concerned, appropriate evaluation of their inputs, outputs and outcomes is based on specific indicators and includes comparison with accepted standards, while evaluation of the intermediate processes is usually based on data from representative aspects of clinical and administrative procedures. Complex interventions and reforms are usually evaluated by social evaluation methods.
Authors and Affiliations
Y. TOUNTAS, N. ECONOMOU
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP83871
- DOI -
- Views 78
- Downloads 0
Τεχνικές ανίχνευσης του κερματισμένου DNA <br /> <br />
Οι τεχνικές εντόπισης των αποπτωτικών κυττάρων βασίζονται σε μορφολογικές παρατηρήσεις, βιοχημικές και ανοσοϊστοχημικές μεθόδους και στην ανίχνευση του κερματισμένου DNA in situ. Η τεχνική TUNEL [Terminal deoxynucleotidy...
Thyroidectomy for goiter during the Byzantine period
The surgical treatment of thyroid disease was well known in the Byzantine times, as described by Aetius Amidinus and Paul of Aegina. Aetius Amidinus (6th century AD), using the classification of Heras of Cappadokia (1st...
Physician-patient communication and medical errors: The role of patient-centered medicine in malpractice prevention
The quality of care is not the major determinant of the patient's decision to pursue a malpractice claim. Breakdown in the doctor-patient communication and relationship are critical factors in the path to malpractice lit...
Opioid dependence – a chronic, relapsing condition with critical health, social and economic consequences
Opioid dependence is a chronic, relapsing health condition with complex sociological and individual determinants that should be managed systematically. Opioid dependence is becoming increasingly prevalent across the worl...
Quality of life of patients and quality of health care after renal transplantation
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was the evaluation of specific aspects of health-related quality of life, and the quality of the health services/care offered to patients who have undergone successful kidney transpl...