Differences in the mix of patients among medical specialties and systems of care: results from the Medical Outcomes Study
Article Abstract:
Patients who are older, sicker and have chronic medical conditions are more likely to be under the care of specialists in a solo or small single-specialty group practice than younger, healthier patients. A survey of 20,158 adults in three large cities who visited a physician's office during the study found that those with a chronic medical condition made more visits to physicians' offices, took more prescription drugs and were hospitalized more often than patients without a chronic medical condition. Patients treated by a family practitioner were younger and had better health with fewer chronic medical conditions, compared to patients treated by a specialist. Patients who visited a cardiologist were older with poorer health and more chronic medical conditions than those who visited a general internist. Patients treated by a solo practitioner were older and sicker with more chronic medical conditions than those who were treated at a health maintenance organization.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Outcomes of patients with hypertension and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus treated by different systems and specialties: results from the Medical Outcomes Study
Article Abstract:
Patients in HMOs and other prepaid group practices may be receiving as good a quality of care as those who see a solo, fee-for-service physician. Researchers analyzed data from 367 physicians participating in the Medical Outcomes Study and 18,794 of their patients who had hypertension or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. The physicians were mostly general practitioners and were either in a fee-for-service (FFS) practice, a prepaid independent practice association (IPA) or an HMO. At 2-, 4- and 7-year follow-ups, there was little difference in health outcomes among patients who were treated in different health care payment systems. Endocrinologists were more likely to successfully treat diabetic foot infections than general practitioners. Otherwise, no difference in health outcomes was seen between the different medical specialties.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: