[PHNUTR-L] Doctor 'pay-for-performance' improves patient care - Study examines 11 quality-based incentives

[Kathrynne Holden]

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Public release date: 10-Jan-2008
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-01/bpl-di011008.php

Contact: Sean Wagner
swagner at bos.blackwellpublishing.com
781-388-8550
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Doctor 'pay-for-performance' improves patient care

Study examines 11 quality-based incentives

Los Angeles, Calif. – January 10, 2008 - A new study examines whether 
patients seeing physicians participating in a “pay-for-performance” 
incentive program receive better care than those who saw 
non-participating physicians. The health plan that was examined 
reimburses physicians based on the quality of care they provide.

This study finds a strong correlation between quality of patient care 
and physician participation in a quality-based incentive program. This 
association grew even stronger over time, with patients who saw 
program-member doctors exclusively during the trial period experiencing 
significantly better quality of care than those that did not.

Looking at eleven evidence-based quality indicators, such as screening 
for a number of different cancers, the study provides a comparison 
between traditional and quality-based payment assessments over a 
six-year period.

“The concept of reimbursing providers based—at least in part—on the 
quality of care is not only a novel approach that is gaining popularity 
within the health care sector, but an innovation that may have the 
potential to improve the quality of care,” says Dr. Antonio P. 
Legorreta, lead author of the study.

###

This study is published in Health Services Research. Media wishing to 
receive a PDF of this article may contact 
journalnews at bos.blackwellpublishing.net.

Editor's Note: Please see the article for additional information, 
including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, 
financial and other disclosures, funding and support.

Antonio P. Legorreta, M.D., M.P.H., is an Affiliate of the Department of 
Health Services, in the School of Public Health at UCLA. He can be 
reached for questions at ALegorreta at healthbenchmarks.com.

Health Services Research (HSR) provides those engaged in research, 
public policy formulation, and health services management with the 
latest findings, methods, and thinking on important policy and practice 
issues. Providing a forum for the expansion of knowledge of the 
financing, organization, delivery, and outcomes of health services, HSR 
also allows practitioners and students alike to exchange ideas that will 
help to improve the health of individuals and communities. HSR published 
on behalf of Health Research and Educational Trust in cooperation with 
AcademyHealth. For more information, please visit 
www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/hesr.
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
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