Emergency medicine: is it a vital safety net or a drain on health resources?

Article Abstract:

The move to managed care may endanger emergency medicine by cutting away at a vital service. Emergency rooms are often used for nonemergencies, especially by the poor and uninsured, which drives up the cost of care. About 30 to 55% of these emergency room visits could be handled in clinics or doctors' offices. To reduce costs, managed care providers may use nonspecialists to review cases and determine true emergencies. More emergency rooms could close, which could limit health care access to the poor.

Social aspects, Management, Economic aspects, Poor, Managed care plans (Medical care), Health care reform, Emergency reporting systems (Telephone), Emergency medicine

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Alternative medicine: the issues

Article Abstract:

A poll conducted in 1991 shows that almost 30% of the respondents have tried some kind of alternative medical treatment and many would seek the help of an alternative practitioner again. The growing interest in alternative medicine reflects the failure of conventional medicine in treating many diseases. However, health-fraud activists say there are dangers in using unproven remedies ranging from psychological risks to needless death.

Evaluation, Alternative medicine, Holistic medicine, Allopathy

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AIDS remedies: all views are 'subjective.' (Alternative Medicine)

Article Abstract:

The failure of conventional medicine to find a cure for AIDS has resulted in aggressive action by militant gay and alternative medicine activists. Activist groups have accused the government and private health authorities of withholding potential AIDS remedies. The Food and Drug Administration has become more lenient regarding approval of alternative AIDS therapies. At stake are patients' rights to choose their own treatments.

Care and treatment, Social policy, AIDS (Disease), United States. Food and Drug Administration, Quacks and quackery, Quackery

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