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Health economics

Reference site for bioethics issues about care of Catholic patients and families

December 2, 2011 | Author
I found it intersting that even this site comments that the burden imposed by any intervention on the individual must be considered. It also comments on stewardship and resource allocation Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Bioethics, Education, Health economics, Religion Religious, Spirituality | Comments Closed

Dying Cancer Patients

November 30, 2011 | Author
Dying cancer sufferers should not be given “futile” and expensive drugs, experts have said in a warning over the “culture of excess” in treating the disease..... Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Cancer, Evidenced based medicine, Geriatrics, Health economics | Comments Closed

Palliative Care State-by-State report

October 5, 2011 | Author

CAPC has just released a “report card”reflecting on the state of palliative care across the nation. THe report was created for the first time in 2008, and apparently as a nation since then we went from a C to a B. What it means in reality? I guess more quality palliative care programs across the nation.

Seven states and DC and got an A, more than half of the states are ranked B, and there are two that got an F. One can download the full report here or just look at specific state statistics.

 

Posted in Advocacy, Evidenced based medicine, Health economics, Research article | Tags: , | 2 Comments »

Regarding Great News

September 18, 2011 | Author

Dr. Dillinger,
Thank you for posting. I believe I have read some articles saying that patients covered under Medicare use more than 33% and some use up to 40% of their total care usage/cost to Medicare during their last 6-12 of life. I do not recall the source, but you have sparked my interest and I’ll work on finding current data. First I’ll look to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data, unless you wish to guide me elsewere. Thanks again

Posted in Health economics | 5 Comments »

Off-service reflections: Where is the weakest link in our health care system?

September 16, 2011 | Author
I am just coming off a very busy palliative care service. A multi-disciplinary team of us have been caring for a diverse cohort of patients in a dedicated palliative care unit, a busy palliative care consult service as well as an out-patient clinic. Here is a smörgåsbord sample of encounters in the past few days Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Advocacy, Health economics, Opinions, Reflective practice | 6 Comments »

Great News!

August 17, 2011 | Author
Hospice expenditures from Medicare are up 70% from 2005 to 2009. That’s great news. Hospice patients are usually much more satisfied with their care and have fewer unmet needs than those not in hospice. Hospice patients also cost Medicare less... Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Health economics | 2 Comments »

Watching videos helps patients make EOL decisions

June 8, 2011 | Author

The CBS Evening News ran a story last week that highlighted the fact that 25% of all Medicare spending (about $100 billion) occurs during the last year of life, in part because patients are receiving futile, aggressive treatments. The news story featured a 53 year old woman who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It also talked compassionately about how difficult it is as a doctor to tell a patient that curative treatment is not likely to be effective.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Communication, Diversity and ethnic minorities, Evidenced based medicine, Health economics, Research article | 11 Comments »

State-Based Coverage Solutions : Highlights of the California Health Benefit Exchange

June 2, 2011 | Author
The legislation signed into law in California in September 2010 consisted of two bills. (i) A state Senate bill established the basic governance and structure of the exchange, and (ii) a state Assembly bill outlined its activities and put in place insurance market regulations, some of which apply even to carriers who do not participate in the exchange. 1. What are insurance exchanges? Insurance exchanges are..... Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Health economics | 1 Comment »
Can We Talk?
Watch and share this five minute video about the need for prophylactic end-of-life conversations. Laura Heldebrand, an ICU nurse tells her mother's story.
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