Public health departments and the quality movement: a natural partnership?

This case study presents an example of a local health department's quality initiative process with regard to evaluating the key position of community health deputy administrator. The process of evaluation, as well as basic public health and quality movement tenets, are described. Conflicting and consonant philosophies among public health, health services, and the quality movement are also examined. The authors provide specific benchmark and programmatic examples of how the community health program is functioning. In addition, specific recommendations resulting from the quality evaluation process are provided. The authors conclude that this particular department has gone beyond the traditional public health department and successfully incorporated central concepts of the quality movement.