Preventive medicine for our ailing health care system
Article Abstract:
The emphasis of health care may need to shift away from the treatment of disease toward the prevention of disease to enable health care reform. Since the late 1800s, the medical profession has focused on the curing diseases. Most medical schools spend little time on disease prevention, and most insurance companies are reluctant to pay for preventive treatments. A good health care system should both increase life expectancy and reduce the incidence of disease. A preventative approach to health care would both reduce the incidence of disease and the cost of health care. Coronary heart disease has reached epidemic proportions. Most patients with coronary heart disease undergo costly treatments to prolong their life. Many experience considerable pain and disability despite these treatments. Many forms of heart disease could be prevented by different types of intervention. This would also reduce the cost of health care and the burden associated with caring for the chronically ill.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
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Administrative medicine
Article Abstract:
Experienced physician managers will have more opportunities as the national health system changes. They will resolve the differing concepts of quality held by patients, employers and physicians. Patients value easy access to care and a personal relationship with care givers. Employers are also interested in access to care but also value convenience, conflict resolution and credentialing. Physicians must both meet the needs of their patients and educate their patients on their perception of quality. Physicians control about 85% of the health care dollar by the ways they run their practice. Physician managers can help smooth the way to successfully implement changes in the health care system. Those entering the field often enter after 20 years of practice so they can impact care quality and access to care.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
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