Give 'em a Pill
"The physician would rather please the patient who expects an antibiotic than not use the drug."
-- Dr. William Hueston Primary investigator in a study comparing the use of antibiotics in fee-for-service vs. HMOs.
As quoted in Managed Healthcare, October 1997.
Long-Term Failure Rates "Long-term failure rates after operations for back pain are as high as 30% for lumbar arthrodesis and 37% for discectomy."
Source: To reoperate or not? Spine Letter, Volume 4, Number 3.
Cut It Again Sam? "The risk for subsequent reoperation on the lumbar spine after a lumbar disc operation seems higher than previously assumed. This should be taken into account when sharing information with the patient about the postoperative prognosis."
-- Seppo Seitsalo,MD, noted researcher quoted in The Back Letter, Volume 12, Number 8, 1997
Slowing Cost of Health Care "Over the longer run, managed care could be far more potent - if it changes fundamental forces driving costs. Managed care can't delay the aging of the baby boom. But there are hints it may be slowing cost increases but raising uncomfortable questions."
Health-Cost Trims Hold Inflation Down. David Wessel, Wall Street Journal, June 30, 1997.
