Which components are part of Donabedian's model for assessing quality of care?

• A. Structure, Process, Outcomes
• B. Structure, Diagnosis, Treatment
• C. Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
• D. Input, Throughput, Output

Answer: (A)

Donabedian's framework for evaluating quality of care uses three connected domains: structure, process, and outcomes. Structure refers to the setting and resources in which care occurs—facilities, equipment, personnel, and organizational characteristics. Process encompasses the actual delivery of care—the actions, interventions, and interactions between clinicians and patients that occur during care. Outcomes are the results of care, including health status changes, patient satisfaction, and functional improvements.

This three-part model is the standard way to analyze quality because it links the prerequisites and environment (structure) with how care is delivered (process) and what results come from that care (outcomes). It helps identify where quality problems arise—whether in insufficient resources, in how care is carried out, or in the resulting health effects.

Other groupings don’t capture this framework. Diagnoses and treatments are specific elements within care rather than the broad, triadic structure. Planning, implementation, and evaluation describe a generic improvement cycle rather than Donabedian’s three-domain model. Input, throughput, and output come from systems or production models and don’t reflect the healthcare quality assessment framework Donabedian proposed.