Final answer:
The answer is 'Provider centered,' as the IOM emphasizes patient-centered care over provider-centered as a characteristic of quality health care. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is c. Provider centered. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), quality health care should possess the following characteristics: it should be safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. Provider-centered care, while important, is not listed as one of the IOM's desired attributes of a high-quality healthcare system.
A focus on patient-centered care instead emphasizes that the healthcare system should be designed around the patient's needs, rather than primarily around the convenience or priorities of healthcare providers. The goal is to ensure that patients are fully informed, that their values and preferences are respected, and that they have a central role in decision-making regarding their care.