Quality of care can be measured in terms of structures, processes, and outcomes. Our study used process measures, which are therefore considered the most useful quality indicators. Furthermore, they can be modified at the physician level.

Quality of care is often measured using patient surveys (about both the process of care and the satisfaction with it), medical record audits, direct observation, or in combination with administrative data.   However, these approaches tend to be costly and may be limited by data quality or confidentiality issues.  Administrative claims data provide an alternative cost-effective source of information for health services research.