Clinical economics: a guide to the economic analysis of clinical practices

Article Abstract:

Awareness of physicians, patients and the public in general has been focused for some period of time on the economic forces which underlie the practice of clinical medicine. Government, private industry and insurance companies have all become concerned with health care and its expense. At the base of many policy decisions is a belief that more cost-effective means of delivering care can be found. However, policy decisions must support the encounter that ultimately takes place between patient and clinician. In the course of this encounter and in the entirety of clinical practice, physicians constantly make decisions concerning the trade-offs that exist between the needs of the patient and economic necessities. The tools of conventional economics may be properly applied to medical practice and should improve the ability of physicians to make choices for the benefit of both the individual patient and society at large. This article provides a summary of basic business economics, including cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis. Issues of expenditures, both direct and indirect, are analyzed and the concept of sensitivity analysis is introduced and applied to medical practice. Tools for comparing options in clinical practice are provided in the hope that clinicians can more accurately identify a means of providing the maximum good for the least cost, allowing either a reduction in overall costs or in continuing to provide care for the same cost.

Practice, Clinical medicine, Medical care, Cost of, Health care costs

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Identifying health technologies that work (how to choose effective treatments)

Article Abstract:

The federal Office of Technology Assessment has written a report, 'Identifying Health Technologies That Work: Searching for Evidence,' that covers information on medical care and outlines work that still needs to be done. Research is focusing on ways to evaluate health outcomes, reviews that analyze studies, treatment effectiveness, and areas of research that have been neglected. Large databases can be helpful in evaluating patient outcomes and pinpointing controversies in clinical treatments, but they may not be valuable in judging effectiveness between treatments because of variations in data. Practice guidelines that are backed by competent studies can improve quality of care.

Usage, Practice guidelines (Medicine)

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Transforming Insurance Coverage Into Quality Health Care: Voltage Drops From Potential to Delivered Quality

Article Abstract:

Ensuring that all Americans have health insurance will not ensure that they receive high-quality care. Many Americans may not have a choice of health plans, a choice of what services are covered, a consistent source of care, or access to specialists.

Analysis, Quality management, Medical care quality, Health insurance

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