Indices for quality of health care were developed for management of selected patient problems in a hospital setting. Analysis of physician staff members' patterns of patient management with respect to these indices led to individualized educational effort for each physician staff member. One year later, physicians' patterns of patient management had changed, and values of the indices for the hospital showed quantifiable improvement in the quality and efficiency of care. An educational researcher collaborated with a physician to interpret data and formulate researchable questions. The collaboration suggests an important role for an educational researcher in the development and implementation of criteria for quality of health care. (Author)