title: [Pay for performance in primary care].
abstract: Pay for Performance is a tool that links payment of healthcare professionals to the quality of health outcomes and processes. In this article the authors discuss the results of a literature review on the subject, highlighting the importance of introducing a Pay for Performance system in primary care, and the advantages and critical issues associated with the system. The experience of the British National Health Service and possible uses of the described payment system in Italy are also briefly discussed.
authors.affiliation: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma. marialucia.specchia@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Maria Lucia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Specchia
authors.forename: Maria Assunta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Veneziano
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capizzi
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ricciardi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012052:Reimbursement, Incentive