Week 3 Discussion - Economics of Healthcare

Week 3 Discussion(Economics of Healthcare)

BACKGROUND:

Physicians’ Professionally Responsible Power : A Core Concept of Clinical Ethics, by Laurence McCullough, Dec 2015, Journal of Med Philos; Abstract:

The gathering of power unto themselves by physicians, a process supported by evidence-based practice, clinical guidelines, licensure, organizational culture, and other social factors, makes the ethics of power—the legitimation of physicians’ power—a core concept of clinical ethics. In the absence of legitimation, the physician’s power over patients becomes problematic, even predatory. As has occurred, clinical ethics issue bear on the professionally responsible deployment of power by physicians. This paper explores themes of physicians’ power in papers from an international group of authors who address autonomy and trust, the virtues of perinatal hospice, conjoined twins in ethics and law, addiction and autonomy in clinical research on addicting substances, euthanasia of patients with dementia in Belgium, and a pragmatic approach to clinical futility.

On another matter, yet still related:   Screening Technology

Mammography remains the gold standard for screening for early stage breast cancer. Early intervention is key to effective breast cancer treatment, and yearly mammography is the best screening tool for early detection. An accurate reading is critical. Studies have repeatedly shown that the best results come from diagnostic centers staffed with breast-imaging experts like our dedicated breast radiologists. Our radiologists specialize exclusively in mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI and minimally invasive biopsy techniques. State-of-the-art equipment, including 3-D tomosynthesis mammography, has allowed these specialists to provide excellent care. The center has been recognized by the American College of Radiology (ACR) as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. This designation, administered by ACR’s Commission on Quality and Safety and the Commission on Breast imaging, recognizes a center’s dedication to improving women’s health by participating in these rigorous quality assurance programs.   hopkinsmedicine.org

TASKS:

Discuss on each of the following statements, state your opinion, you may agree or disagree, example of a situation, and why it matters. 

a) "Physicians have the power to influence their patients’ demand for health services and the likelihood of their using this power varies  inversely with the level of competition in the medical market." 

b) "Widespread use of state-of-the-art screening and other diagnostic tools and techniques would result in a significant reduction i n the rate of growth of health care expenditures."