Public disclosure of health care performance reports: comments and reflections from Sweden

In all countries quality improvement is a very important issue. At the same time the demands for information from consumers are increasing. By combining these two principles we can gain a great deal. In my opinion we will go both ways. Bad results, if publicly disclosed, are probably the strongest incentive to improve if they are reliable. Confidential performance feedback for self improvement is the way Sweden is heading at the moment. In the near future, I am sure, we will publish performance reports accompanied by analytic comments regarding quality indicators that are well defined and easy for consumers to evaluate. A pre-condition is that the medical profession must have time to get accustomed. Only experience will show how to devise the most effective means to improve quality and confidence in health care. We will follow the progress in the USA with great interest.