Developing ambulatory care physician performance measures

Major US corporations and consumer groups are demanding more accountability for their health care expenditures. In response, the federal government, specialty boards, and state medical boards are evaluating ways to implement objective measures of quality. Many dermatologists already choose to participate in quality measurement and improvement activities. More will need to, as recertification and relicensure requirements change. Dermatologists need measures that are specialty-specific, as measures developed for primary care physicians are generally not appropriate for a dermatologic practice.