Abstract

[This article was originally published in HealthcarePapers, Volume 6, Number 4.]

George Pink and colleagues, in this issue of the journal, present an overview of the current status of pay-for-performance programs in other countries and an analysis of the factors that need to be considered in the event that Canada should adopt such a program.

While we agree with most of what the authors report in this brief paper, we note that the process is already under way in Canada, challenge a few of the paper's assumptions and provide a few suggestions for and cautions in undertaking next steps.

At the same time, we highlight the significant potential pay-for-performance may have in being part of the solution to the great concerns over the sustainability of our much-loved healthcare system.