Medicine - molecular, monetary, or more than both?

Article Abstract:

An overemphasis on the technical and molecular aspects of medicine may be depersonalizing the physician-patient relationship. The practice of medicine should stay centered on patient welfare, not on molecular biology. Clinical epidemiology should not be relied upon totally to provide diagnoses of disease, because abnormalities can occur without significance. The overuse of tests and invasive procedures is not improving patient health. Physicians who are sensitive to patients and their families as human beings may provide the best treatment. Physicians should consider both genetic and environmental factors in determining the source and treatment of disease. Instead of concentrating on patient health, the current health care system values cost control and profitability. The practice of medicine has been turned into a business. Physicians cannot defend patient rights without the fear of dismissal from a hospital. Physician organizations should act to insure standards of quality and access to health care.

Health aspects, Social aspects, Physician and patient, Physician-patient relations, Study and teaching, Molecular biology, Patient advocacy

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Unintended pregnancy and the well-being of children and families

Article Abstract:

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences has released a report on the consequences of unintended pregnancies and ways to solve the problem. In 1988, the National Survey of Family Growth found that 44% of pregnancies were unintended, up from 38% in 1982. Unintended pregnancies occur in adult women as well as in teenagers. Part of the reason is a decline in federal funding for family planning clinics. Women who have not planned the pregnancy are less likely to get prenatal care and are often young and single. Unintended pregnancies in the US have led to 1.5 million abortions annually, a rate that is two to four times higher than the rate in other developed countries. Sex without contraception is the most likely cause of unintended pregnancies. Sexually active adults should be given knowledge about and access to effective contraception.

Usage, Reports, Contraceptives, Pregnancy, Unwanted, Unwanted pregnancy

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Good Technical Outcome, Poor Service Experience: A Verdict on Contemporary Medical Care?

Article Abstract:

Doctors need to improve the quality of the service provided to patients. A patient's dissatisfaction with the service may be a result of system deficiencies, rather than the incompetence of the staff.

Editorial, Analysis, Patient satisfaction, Medical care, Quality management, Medical care quality

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