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Complete 6 page APA formatted essay: Describe the relationship between health care cost and quality.

In health care, “cost” may be defined in different ways, depending on the individual’s perception. Two of these definitions are (1) when consumers and financiers pertain to the “price” of health care. and (2) when it is seen in a national perspective, referring to how much a nation spends on health care services (Shi &amp. Singh,

2008, p. 484).

Health care quality is said to be judged subjectively, according to the standards of an individual or an organization. Donabedian (n.d.) identified three determinants of the overall quality of health care: (1) structure of care, referring to the qualifications of health care providers and characteristics of facilities. (2) process of care, or the manner health care is provided. and (3) outcome of care, or effectiveness of the care provided (as cited in Wiest, 1988, p. 54). It is contended that without the existence of these three, it is not possible to achieve a high quality of health care.

In health care, cost and quality possess a certain relationship, where cost does not always equate to quality (Marquis &amp. Huston, 2009, p. 210).