Final answer:
Quality measures in health care include structure and process measures, both utilizing health metrics and care outcomes to guide patient choice in health services and inform health care policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two main types of quality measures to help choose quality health care are structure and process measures. Both are based on health metrics and health care outcomes.
Structure measures evaluate the health care setting, including facility resources, staffing ratios, and accreditations. Process measures focus on the way health care is delivered, such as adherence to clinical guidelines and the timeliness of care.
For instance, structure measures could assess whether a hospital has the necessary equipment for complex surgeries, while process measures might consider whether patients receive care in accordance with established treatment protocols for heart attacks. Health metrics involve data on patient health status, like 'Healthy Days', to assess outcomes of care. These measures are crucial for making informed decisions when selecting health services, ensuring policies consider treatment costs, patient quality of life, and privacy risks.