Measurement of physicians' performance using existing techniques.

Existing techniques permit objective and valid measurement of limited elements of physicians' performance. These limited aspects, however, are of considerable importance to patients. The basic components of performance in medicine and surgery can be defined and used as the basis of organized programs for such evaluation. Interhospital comparisons can provide an effective impetus for assessing and improving performance of individual staff members when this is indicated. Professional auspices are needed for the development and application of methods that can provide continuing assurance that the clinical activity of physicians corresponds to contemporary standards.A system of incentives should be provided to physicians to promote their participation in voluntary programs of self-assessment. The incentives should be in the form of performance assessment credits, comparable in definition to continuing medical education credits, but granted for participation in an accredited program that objectively measures physicians' performance against national standards of the respective specialty.