This year marks the publication of the 30th volume of the Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management (JCOM). As we celebrate JCOM’s 30th year, we look forward to the future and continuing the journey to inform quality improvement leaders and practitioners about advances in the field and share experiences. The path forward on this journey involves collaboration across stakeholders, the application of innovative improvement methods, and a commitment to achieving health equity. Health care quality improvement plans must prioritize patient-centered care, promote evidence-based practices and continuous learning, and establish clear metrics to measure progress and success. Furthermore, engagement with patients and communities must be at the forefront of any quality improvement plan, as their perspectives and experiences are essential to understanding and addressing the root causes of disparities in health care delivery. Additionally, effective communication and coordination among health care providers, administrators, policymakers, and other stakeholders are crucial to achieving sustainable improvements in health care quality.
JCOM’s mission is to serve as a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices to improve patient outcomes and promote health equity. The vision encompasses a world where all individuals have access to high-quality, patient-centered health care that is free of disparities and achieves optimal health outcomes. JCOM’s strategy is to publish articles that showcase innovative quality improvement initiatives, share evidence-based practices and research findings, highlight successful collaborations, and provide practical guidance for health care professionals to implement quality improvement initiatives in their organizations.
We believe that by sharing these insights and experiences, we can accelerate progress toward achieving equitable and high-quality health care for all individuals and communities, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, gender identity, or any other factor that may impact their access to care and health outcomes. We continue to welcome submissions from all health care professionals, researchers, and other stakeholders involved in quality improvement initiatives. Together, we can work toward a future where every individual has access to the highest quality of health care and experiences equitable health outcomes.
A comprehensive and collaborative approach to health care quality improvement, which is led by a peer review process and scientific publication of the progress, is a necessary part of ensuring that all patients receive high-quality care that is equitable and patient-centered. The future of health care quality will require further research and scholarly work in the areas of training and development, data infrastructure and analytics, as well as technology-enabled solutions that support continuous improvement and innovation. Health care organizations can build a culture of quality improvement that drives meaningful progress toward achieving health equity and improving health care delivery for all by sharing the output from their research.
Thank you for joining us in this mission to improve health care quality, promote optimal health care delivery methods, and create a world where health care is not only accessible, but also equitable and of the highest standards. Let us continue to work toward building a health care system that prioritizes patient-centered care. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every individual receives the care they need and deserve.
Corresponding author: Ebrahim Barkoudah, MD, MPH; ebarkoudah@bwh.harvard.edu