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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
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Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing
Published on: August 14, 2019
Pay for performance: rationale and potential implications for urology
Chris M Gonzalez1, David Penson, Beth Kosiak
1Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA. CGonzalez@nmff.org
The Journal of Urology
|June 15, 2007
Summary
Pay for performance (PFP) reimbursement models are emerging in healthcare. While PFP programs are being implemented, specific evidence-based quality metrics for urology are currently lacking.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Reimbursement
- Health Services Research
- Urology
Background:
- Pay for performance (PFP) represents a shift towards value-based purchasing in healthcare.
- Government and private payers are increasingly interested in PFP systems.
- Several PFP programs are already operational.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the rationale behind pay for performance initiatives.
- To explore the implications of PFP for practicing urologists.
- To review the current landscape of PFP in healthcare.
Main Methods:
- A review of MEDLINE and internet-based research was conducted.
- Research focused on healthcare quality measures, PFP implementation, and payer experiences.
- Analysis included structure, process, and outcome measures.
Main Results:
- Healthcare quality is assessed using structure, process, and outcome measures.
- These measures are most effective when risk-adjusted and used in coordination.
- Limited data currently exist to confirm if PFP reimbursement improves healthcare quality.
Conclusions:
- Significant questions remain regarding PFP implementation in urology.
- Urology lacks specific, evidence-based metrics to define quality fairly and accurately.
- Proactive urology involvement in developing quality metrics is crucial as PFP appears inevitable.
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