The article by Mark A. Schuster, Elizabeth A. McGlynn, and Robert H. Brook reviews the quality of healthcare in the United States, highlighting the lack of systematic evidence and national tracking systems. The authors define quality as the likelihood of desired health outcomes and consistency with professional knowledge, emphasizing the importance of appropriate, timely, and culturally sensitive care. They categorize healthcare into preventive, acute, and chronic care, noting significant gaps in the quality of care across these areas. The review finds that overuse and underuse of care are prevalent, affecting all age groups and regions. Specific examples include the overuse of antibiotics for common colds, inappropriate use of medications for depression, and inadequate follow-up for chronic conditions like diabetes. The article also discusses the impact of managed care on quality, with mixed findings on whether it improves or worsens care. Overall, the review underscores the need for better measurement and improvement of healthcare quality in the United States.The article by Mark A. Schuster, Elizabeth A. McGlynn, and Robert H. Brook reviews the quality of healthcare in the United States, highlighting the lack of systematic evidence and national tracking systems. The authors define quality as the likelihood of desired health outcomes and consistency with professional knowledge, emphasizing the importance of appropriate, timely, and culturally sensitive care. They categorize healthcare into preventive, acute, and chronic care, noting significant gaps in the quality of care across these areas. The review finds that overuse and underuse of care are prevalent, affecting all age groups and regions. Specific examples include the overuse of antibiotics for common colds, inappropriate use of medications for depression, and inadequate follow-up for chronic conditions like diabetes. The article also discusses the impact of managed care on quality, with mixed findings on whether it improves or worsens care. Overall, the review underscores the need for better measurement and improvement of healthcare quality in the United States.