Overview of issues in improving quality of care for children.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a framework for a research agenda-setting conference on quality of care for children.


METHODS
Literature review.


CONCLUSIONS
Research on quality of care for children has lagged behind its counterpart for adults. Defining key issues and questions in seven topic areas-the health of children; the efficacy and effectiveness of health services for children; assessing quality of care; improving quality of care within health services delivery systems; assessing and improving quality at the community level; getting financial incentives right; and disseminating information about the results of research investigations-will facilitate the development of an effective research strategy. Ultimately, enhanced information in these areas will lead to improvements in the processes and outcomes of care for children.
McGlynn
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Center for Research on Quality in Health Care, RAND, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA.
Halfon
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D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D002669:Child Welfare; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States