Discussion

Week 3Discussion(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 tomosynthes is 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.

1. 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.”

 

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

 

RUBRIC/CRITERIA:

Use as many economic principles (from the textbook and other sources) as you can in answering the questions.  As a guideline, each of the 10 points will be derived from the following:

1. Post your answer (400-500 words) to the posted DQ responding to the matter asked, instead of repeating the question or not attending to the question. Substantive answers include making comments using concepts found in the assigned reading materials or offering examples from your experience. Hence merely providing a brief “yes, I agree” or “no, I do not agree” postings are not adequate posts
2. Write in correct grammar; any errors will translate to a deduction in points.
3. Check for the spelling; any errors will deduct points.
4. Your responses must be substantive that include your own thoughts, supported with research (at least two external sources other than textbook, and you must quote these sources).
5. You get one point when you respond to one of your classmates’ posts, also with substantive comments (100-200 words).
6. One more point when you respond to another classmate’s post (100-200 words).
7. One point for collaboration.  It is intended that your involvement in discussions be of a collaborative nature. Collaboration spirit is quite different from confrontation. If disagree, learn to disagree respectfully.
8. Deadline for each DQ will be at 11.55pm on the due date as posted in the modules, but you are free to make your comments prior to that.  One point will be deducted for each day of late submission.
9. Creativity: offer a creative solutions or ideas or impact on the obvious socio-economic impacts of each topic; or a future recommendation or alternative options for the future with regard to the topic in question.
10. Cite your resources; as a rule of thumb, about 20 percent may come from quotes, with 80 percent in your own words.(Cite two External Sources)