A Process for Quality Improvement In Family Planning Services

Abstract

Concern has grown in recent years over the need to provide high-quality family planning program services to clients. Such programs should aim to help clients achieve their reproductive goals and not reduce fertility rates at the aggregate level. While proponents have argued for the provision of such high-quality client-oriented services program managers have no consensus upon what the high-quality care is how to assess it and how to implant it. This report draws upon total quality management (TQM) methodology and fieldwork in international family planning and public health to offer a feasible process for service quality improvement (SQI). TQM is a participative systematic approach to planning and implementing a continuous organizational improvement process which includes a focus upon client needs and a comprehensive set of techniques and guidelines for program managers and staff. The authors stress the importance of an organizational environment committed to quality care for clients and the use of scientific and statistical methods to systematically identify problems develop solutions and enable managers and staff to continuously improve services provided by their programs. Sections discuss the environment the process and a SQI case study.