Education to improve the quality of clinical care in group practices.

Intervening to improve the quality of medical care is an essential component of an effective quality improvement program. Although interventions may take many forms, most have some educational component. This article discusses different types of educational strategies that may be used in group practices and describes our experience with a continuing medical education (CME) program based on the results of clinical performance measurement.

A computerized system for reviewing medical records from physicians' offices.

Background: Review of clinical performance in office-based care is increasing in importance as more medical care shifts to outpatient settings. Decisions made in primary care settings can save lives and limit disability through prevention and early intervention in disease. Information is needed to assess quality of care by answering such questions as whether drugs are prescribed and monitored appropriately, follow-up on serious health threats is carried out promptly, or procedures are performed for appropriate indications.