Quality of care in public and private primary health care facilities: structural comparisons in Jamaica

摘要: This article examines the quality of care provided by Jamaican primary health clinics comparing various structural indexes derived from a nationwide 1990 survey 366 public and 189 private clinics. comparison points up important differences in being versus urban rural facilities that might have not been anticipated. Among other things study found better prenatal diagnosis counseling more family planning services than However tended to be condition equipped supplied able provide certain laboratory test results timely manner. Comparison indicated were somewhat provisioned with equipment supplies pharmaceutical. appeared repair. basic higher-level showed fully staffed while having similar perinatal diagnostic capabilities. an overall profile resembling While measures such as those employed here tend poorly estimate outcomes they do serve good indicators access where resources are severely constrained. For policy-makers presented could prove useful guiding concrete interventions summarizing elements at different types providing method for less costly evaluation programs designed improve (authors)