Physicians and preventive medicine

Article Abstract:

Physicians need to play a more active role in public health, especially through preventive clinical services. Currently, physicians offer numerous preventive services, including immunizations, screening tests and advice on lifestyle and health. Barriers to preventive services by physicians include a lack of training, few clear standards of care and little financial incentive, as well as organizational barriers. Medical schools should make preventive clinical medicine part of their normal curriculum. Standards for preventive care are being developed, but the process is in its early stages. The cost effectiveness of preventive care has become obvious, and the market driven environment of health care in the 1990s should make preventive care a financially sound effort that offers adequate reimbursement. A way to make sure preventive efforts reach minorities and the poor is also needed.

Management, Practice, Public health, Preventive medicine, Medicine, Preventive

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The Potential Benefits of Decision Aids in Clinical Medicine

Article Abstract:

Decision aids can help patients participate in medical decisions. They facilitate shared decision making, which describes a true partnership between doctors and patients. Decision aids often include brochures, audiocassettes, and videos to help patients understand their treatment options. A 1999 study found that a decision aid was helpful for a group of patients with atrial fibrillation. This heart arrhythmia increases the risk of stroke, so patients often must take anticoagulants. However, anticoagulants have side effects. Doctors should become familiar with the decision aids that are available to them.

Usage, Innovations, Patient education, Decision support systems

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