OVERVIEW OF ISSUES IN IMPROVING QUALITY OF CARE FOR CHILDREN

Objective. To provide a framework for a research agenda-setting confer ence on quality of care for children. Data Sources/Study Setting. Lite rature review. Conclusions. Research on quality of care for children h as lagged behind its counter-part for adults. Defining key issues and questions in seven topic areas-the health of children; the efficacy an d effectiveness of health services for children; assessing quality of care; improving quality of care within health services delivery system s; assessing and improving quality at the community level; getting fin ancial incentives right; and disseminating information about the resul ts of research investigations-will facilitate the development of an ef fective research strategy. Ultimately, enhanced information in these a reas will lead to improvements in the processes and outcomes of care f or children.