Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Related Disorders. 3rd edition

Abstract

This chapter reviews the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with a view to improving the quality of care. In keeping with the Institute of Medicine’s definition of quality as the “degree to which health services for individuals and population increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge” (Lohr 1990, 4), the focus is on studies of specific interventions and measurable health outcomes. Because the resources available to support health care delivery in LMICs are scarce, this chapter seeks to improve clinical quality by getting the most out of known effective interventions within the limits of available resources rather than recommending unproven interventions that require early-phase studies or substantial investment to scale up. Clinical quality can be improved anywhere and at any time and doing so need not be expensive.