Cancer Care Quality Defined

The CCQTP focuses on understanding and improving the quality of cancer care services provided in the United States. Other training programs at UNC-Chapel Hill focus on cancer epidemiology, cancer prevention and control, and quality of health care services more generally. Quality refers to “the extent to which health services for individuals and populations increases the likelihood of desired health outcomes and is consistent with current professional knowledge” (Institute of Medicine, Crossing the Quality Chasm, 2001). Quality of care means “providing patients with appropriate services in a technically competent manner, with good communication, shared decision making, and cultural sensitivity.” (Institute of Medicine, Ensuring the Quality of Cancer Care, 1999) Poor quality cancer care can result from:  Overuse: or provision of service in circumstances where potential harm exceeds possible benefit Underuse: or failure to provide a service that would have produced a favorable outcome for the patient Misuse: an avoidable complication occurs that prevents the patient from receiving full potential benefit    Quality problems can occur anywhere along the cancer care continuum (see Figure). Although the Figure implies a more linear progression in cancer care than most people experience, it offers a useful way of thinking about the many potential quality problems that could arise in the provision of cancer care services. Content for this page is provided by the Department of Health Policy and Management. Please contact the webmaster for any comments or questions.

Last updated June 18, 2008