Definition of high-quality care
In a complex health care environment, a shared understanding of high-quality care is needed to support more coordinated and aligned efforts across the Australian health system.
A comprehensive definition of high-quality care
The comprehensive definition builds on the Commission’s existing conceptualisations of quality, reflecting the inherently complex and multidimensional nature of high-quality care. It takes into consideration all the components that contribute to high-quality care and is needed to help guide decision-making across policy, programs, and practice.
Domains are key components that can describe a concept and provide a structured way to break up complex concepts into more easily understandable parts. High-quality care consists of multiple interconnected domains. Each domain focuses on an important aspect of health care needed to achieve high-quality care. Together, they describe how care should be delivered to achieve the best outcomes for individuals and populations.
The Commission defines high-quality care as person-centred, safe, effective, accessible and integrated, provided in a way that is equitable, efficient and sustainable.
Cultural safety, as determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, is necessary for high-quality care. Cultural safety must be embedded in each domain of high-quality care to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Domains
| Domain | Definition | Consumer outcome statement |
|---|---|---|
| Person-centred | Respects the person receiving care, their family and carers, and responds to the person’s preferences, needs and values | The care I receive respects my preferences, needs, values and culture |
| Safe | Minimises risks of physical, psychological, psychosocial and cultural harms and factors that can contribute to actual or potential injury to the person receiving care | When I receive care, efforts are taken to minimise the risk of harm and errors, including from discrimination or potential bias |
| Effective | Evidence-based and results in outcomes that benefit the person receiving care | The care I receive is based on the best available evidence and practice, and takes account of cultural factors, to meet my needs |
| Accessible | Delivered at the right time and the right place | I receive care when, where and how I need it through empowerment and shared partnerships |
| Integrated | Coordinated and continuous care within and between all parts of the healthcare system and other care settings and throughout the person’s healthcare journey | I receive care that is well organised and connected between family, clinicians, services and settings |
| Efficient | Minimises cost and waste while achieving the best possible outcomes for people | The care I receive minimises cost and waste without compromising quality |
| Sustainable | Minimises environmental impact and reduces emissions while achieving the best possible outcomes for people | The care I receive minimises environmental impact without compromising quality |
| Equitable | Provides quality care to all people while responding to the needs of different groups to minimise differences in outcomes | The care I receive minimises the barriers I face for my unique needs in receiving the same level of quality care as others |
The Commission is currently developing a definitions document outlining the different domains of high-quality care. This work will be published in the near future.