Why the Ethics of Parsimonious Medicine Is Not the Ethics of Rationing The Ethics of Parsimonious Medicine

Tilburt JC, Cassel CK. — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The ethics of rationing health care resources has been debated for decades. Opponents of rationing are concerned that societal interests will supplant respect for individual patient choice and professional judgment. Advocates argue that injustices in the current system necessitate that physicians use resources prudently on behalf of society, even in their daily work with individual patients. The debate is important, potentially divisive, and unavoidable.

The Value of Low-Value Lists The Value of Low-Value Lists

Elshaug AG, McWilliams J, Landon BE. — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

An international groundswell of activity is seeking to identify and reduce the use of health care services that provide little or no benefit—whether through overuse or misuse. There are strong imperatives for identifying such waste: (1) an ethical imperative to ensure patient safety and thus avoid tests and treatments that cause harm directly or indirectly without providing commensurate benefit; (2) a quality imperative to measure and reward best practices; and (3) an economic imperative to reduce spending and enhance the diffusion of cost-effective innovations.

JAMA: Health Services Research Topic Collection

Why the Ethics of Parsimonious Medicine Is Not the Ethics of Rationing The Ethics of Parsimonious Medicine

The Value of Low-Value Lists The Value of Low-Value Lists