FPGEE for National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Practice Exam

The quality of healthcare is typically assessed based on three primary elements: structural elements, processes, and outcomes.

Structural elements refer to the attributes of the settings where care occurs, such as the facilities, equipment, and personnel. Processes involve the methods and procedures through which care is delivered, including how healthcare providers interact with patients and make clinical decisions. Outcomes are the results of healthcare services, such as patient recovery rates and overall health improvements.

Cost efficiency, while an important aspect of the healthcare system, does not align with these three foundational elements directly related to quality assessment. Instead, cost efficiency pertains to the economic aspect of healthcare delivery, which can influence access and resource allocation but is separate from the actual quality parameters evaluated within care delivery frameworks. Thus, cost efficiency is an important consideration in the broader context of healthcare but is not one of the core elements defining the quality of healthcare.