Payment reform is the key to improving healthcare in the United States, according to a survey of more than 200 healthcare professionals. But not all agreed on one particular reform measure.

Only half said they viewed pay-for-performance measures as helpful to improving quality, according to the survey conducted by the Commonwealth Fund. Almost 60% said hospitals should make reports of provider performance information available to the public. The survey reached almost 1,500 healthcare opinion leaders, including academics and researchers, by e-mail.

Besides payment reform, leaders were in favor of other ways to improve the system. These included creating a public-private group to oversee healthcare efficiency measures, creating locations where people receive all of their primary care from a single doctor, and requiring Medicare providers to use health information technology.

See more at http://www.commonwealthfund.org/surveys/surveys_show.htm?doc_id=511225.