The 1990 GP contract--meeting needs?
This paper reviews the empirical evidence about the effects of the 1990 general practitioner (GP) contract on the provision of medical services in the United Kingdom. A brief outline of the major changes instigated by the 1990 GP contract is given. Studies of the implementation of the changes tend to focus on either trend analysis, cost-effectiveness or medical practice variation. These studies are reviewed and the implications for the efficiency of primary health care are discussed.
Silcock
J
J
Health Economics Research Unit, University Medical Buildings, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
Ratcliffe
J
J
D000368:Aged; D003284:Contract Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005194:Family Practice / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D005251:Fees, Medical; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013511:Minor Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data