title: Corruption in the health care system: the circumstantial evidence.
abstract: Health care systems are under intense scrutiny, and there is an increasing emphasis on patient safety and quality of care in general. Evidence continues to emerge demonstrating that health systems are performing at sub-optimal levels. The evidence includes the under-use, over-use and mis-use of health care services; new standards asking for respect, dignity, honesty and transparency; the corporatization of health; and the existing inequalities in power and health outcomes. Recommendations for improving health care often refer to increasing the level of collaboration and consultation. These strategies are unlikely to remedy the root causes of our ailing health systems if we accept the circumstantial evidence that suggests the system is rotten.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Majoor
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D004991:Ethics, Institutional; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006302:Health Services Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors