A leading scholar on health care quality who conceptualized the vocabulary used to define health care quality today. The management of an episode of health care can be divided into a technical domain and an interpersonal domain. The technical domain involves “the application of science and technology of medicine to the management of personal health problem.” The interpersonal domain involves, “the management of the social and psychological interaction between client and practitioner.” Dr. Donabedian understood the system of health care, and went on to mention that most of the problem was that many people did not understand this relationship between quality and systems, because they were not trained in medical school or nursing school. He talks about system awareness and system design are vital for health professionals; however he insists it is not enough. In the end he mentions the secret of quality is love.
Thus, the two major elements of quality, according to Dr. Donabedian, are “technical competence” and “interpersonal competence.” Technical competence goes to the actual performance of medical procedures and services, and relates to the appropriate application of professional knowledge, training and skill. Dr Donabedian explains that the quality of technical care consists in the application of medical science and technology in a manner that maximizes its benefits to health without correspondingly increasing its risks. The degree of quality is, therefore, the extent to which the care provided is expected to achieve the most favorable balance of risks and benefits. As for Interpersonal competence, Dr. Donabedian explains that it is the relationship between the physician and patient, and includes other aspects of care. He states that s interpersonal relationship meets a defined set of values and norms between the physician and the patient.
So why did I pick Dr. Donabedian? I would have to say that I picked him because my values run closely with his. I believe that quality concerning health care does break down into two catagories, technical aspect and the interpersonal aspect, and both must work and run hand in hand. However most importantly I like the part about him when he talks about the secret of quality being love. I believe that if all people were treated as if they were family then the care and quality would be much higher. In society today I fee the “caring” side has been greatly distorted, and now all professionals just tend to see the dollar signs and how they can make more. Quality care with doctors is now becoming far and few in-between. I would like to see that change.
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