Fact sheet—Measuring quality of care: A review of methodologies and indicators

Broad support for the promotion of high-quality service delivery in family planning (FP) programs is rooted in the publication in 1990 of a formal framework outlining its essential elements. This framework, developed by Judith Bruce of the Population Council, defines FP service delivery quality through six critical elements: choice of methods, information provided to clients, interpersonal relations, provider competence, follow-up mechanisms, and appropriate range of services offered. This factsheet argues that despite widespread endorsement of the Bruce framework and development of standardized data collection instruments, obstacles to accurate measures of quality of care remain. It concludes that further discussion within the research community must ensure appropriate, feasible, and efficient strategies for measuring quality, to reduce quality-related barriers to optimal FP use