Policymaker use of quality of care information.

OBJECTIVE This study describes public policymakers' experiences with the feasibility of using information from quality of care assessment activities. The objective is to improve the ability to match quality evaluation tools with policymakers' information needs. DESIGN US state administrative policymakers were interviewed about use of quality of care information and knowledge, attitudes, and experiences with information from specific types of measures. PARTICIPANTS A purposive sample of 82 key informants from Medicaid program administrations in 48 states. MAIN MEASURE Users of information from each of eight targeted types of quality of care measurement methods were compared with non-users based upon their levels of knowledge, perceived characteristics of quality of care information, and perceived characteristics of the policy situation. RESULTS Participants indicated that some types of quality measurement methods have been useful, whereas others have not. Extent of quality assessment information use, and the measurement methods utilized, varied widely. Two factors were associated with the use of information from particular quality assessment methods: information needs of the policymakers and their perceptions of the characteristics, including strengths and weaknesses, of particular measurement methods. CONCLUSIONS These policymakers had positive attitudes about quality assessment, were knowledgeable about types of methods, and had a variety of potential uses for quality-related information. Yet, perceptions and experiences with different types of measurement methods varied. We describe a set of quality assessment methods with complementary characteristics that could provide a relatively inclusive picture of quality of care and better address policymaker information needs.