Health care resource allocation: complicating ethical factors at the macro-allocation level.
It is generally assumed that allocation problems in a socialized health care system result from limited resources and too much demand. Attempts at solutions have therefore centered in increasing efficiency, using evidence-based decision-making and on developing ways of balancing competing demands within the existing resource limitation. This article suggests that some of the difficulties in macro-allocation decision-making may result from the use of conflicting ethical perspectives by decision-makers. It presents evidence from a preliminary Canadian study to this effect.
Kluge
Eike-Henner W
EH
Department of Philosophy, University of Victoria, BC, Canada. ekluge@uvic.ca
Tomasson
Kimberley
K
D002170:Canada; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D004989:Ethics; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000592:standards*; D006286:Health Planning Councils; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000592:standards*; D011050:Policy Making; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000592:standards*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000592:standards*