Quality management for health care in the Middle East and north Africa: professional cooperation as part of the peace process.
BACKGROUND: In 1993, as the peace process opened up new possibilities for professional cooperation, the Quality Management (QM) Program for Health Care Organizations in the Middle East and North Africa was born of a shared perception that there is a high-priority need to improve the quality of health care and to cope with increasing costs and financial pressures. To date 22 health care organizations--including hospitals, primary care centers, health maintenance organizations, and ministries of health--are members of the QM Program and are actively implementing QM projects. DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM: The QM Program began with an introductory conference, followed by an intensive training course. During the current phase of the program (1996-1999), a variety of facilitation activities--including training visits to the region by international experts, consultation support to member organizations by volunteer mentors in the United States, professional-exchange seminars, and site visits--are being conducted at the regional and national levels. Since the training course, the QM Program member organizations have implemented more than 40 model QM projects to improve both clinical and nonclinical processes. Projects consistent with national and organizational priorities were selected, with an emphasis on fast-paced improvements that reduce costs and enhance patient satisfaction. FUTURE PLANS: The regional QM Program is envisioned to grow in size and strength through a four-year building process. By the year 2000, a cadre of local leaders should be prepared to carry the program forward into the new millennium.