Continuum of care: a practicing physician's view.
Continuum of care is a vital component in providing quality health care services. True case management by physicians has been severely affected by such factors as specialization, Medicare, and generally by the extensive involvement of non-medical administrators and intermediaries in the health care system. This article expresses dissatisfaction with the present health care system and suggests a variety of changes necessary to attain a true continuum of care. These changes include the need to re-establish the concept of the primary physician; the recognition that cost containment, although important, should not be the primary driving force; and the need for public discussions and informed decision-making on health care policy and rationing.
D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010819:Physician's Role; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012380:Role; D014481:United States