Interesting Quotes

By Editorial Staff

Health Care System Breakdown

"The development of a health care system that is radically different from the one in which we (pharmacists) have been trained and practiced has created increasing levels of uncertainty and discomfort.

The current system also has generated many conflicts, including friction between continuing health care cost increases and a concomitant reduction in reimbursements to health systems, which has resulted in elimination of some checks and balances and an increase in the prevalence of adverse drug events and drug-related problems." -- William A. Gouveia, MS, director of pharmacy, New England Medical Center Rita Shane, PharmD, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Source: Gouveia WA, Shane R. The three dimensions of managed care pharmacy practice. Am J Man Care 1997;3:231-239.

Consumer Choice -- the Driving Force

"Alternative medicine is a business in waiting. Its efficacy is not the driving force: consumer choice is. There is not enough reliable information on the effectiveness of alternative care." -- Kenneth Jennings, partner in the Chicago office of Andersen Consulting

Source: Changing their ways to keep up with the times. Managed Healthcare, June 1997.

Let Pain Be Your Guide?

"If you look at the traditional treatment of back pain over the past few decades, what happens is that patients are told to stop normal activity. They are told to 'let pain be your guide,' rest, and wait until the pain gets better. The focus is entirely on pain, and the strategy of management is entirely negative." -- Gordon Waddell, MD

Source: The high cost of bed rest. The BackLetter, March 1997.