Accountability
Accountability (əˌkaʊntəˈbɪlɪti)
Accountability is a concept in ethics and governance with several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such concepts as responsibility, answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and other terms associated with the expectation of account-giving.
Etymology
The word "accountability" originates from the late Latin word "accomptare" (to account), a prefixed form of "computare" (to calculate), which in turn derived from "putare" (to reckon).
Definition
In healthcare, accountability refers to the obligation of an individual or organization to account for its activities, accept responsibility for them, and to disclose the results in a transparent manner. It also includes the responsibility for money or other entrusted property.
Related Terms
- Responsibility: The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.
- Transparency (behavior): The act of operating openly and communicating fully, providing stakeholders with a clear understanding of how and why decisions are made.
- Ethics: Moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.
- Governance: The action or manner of governing an organization.
In Healthcare
In the context of healthcare, accountability is increasingly recognized as a key concern for improving health service delivery and health outcomes. It involves both the responsibility of the healthcare providers to deliver health services of a certain standard, and the rights of patients and populations to receive a standard of care.
Healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, are accountable for the care they provide to patients. This includes being accountable for the outcomes of the care they provide, the resources they use, and the ethical standards they uphold.
Patients, on the other hand, have a right to expect a certain standard of care from their healthcare providers. They also have a responsibility to participate in their own care, including following treatment plans and making lifestyle changes.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Accountability
- Wikipedia's article - Accountability
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