The hospitalized patient and the cost of his care will be studied by the AMA.
A nationwide study will determine trends in hospital use over the past 15 years as reflected in changes in the characteristics of patients and in patterns and costs of care for specific illnesses.
The project was initiated by the AMA Commission on the Cost of Medical Care, and data will be collected by the University of Michigan's Bureau of Hospital Administration.
Announcement of the hospital study was made by Dr. David B. Allman, of Atlantic City, N.J., chairman of the AMA commission, following a threeday meeting of the commission in Chicago.
Allman said the hospital study was only one of four major projects that the commission has undertaken.
"We also have a project which will study the significant medical advances of the past 25 years and analyze their economic and social implications. Another project involves