Question

In one or two paragraphs, describe what challenges or issues may be expected in getting physicians to change their behavior related to low-value procedures.

Answer 1

The problems that might be faced by the client to change the physician's behavior while prescribing low-value procedures are:

·        The physician might not agree with the suggestion of the patient

·        The physician can also manipulate the patient

·        The financial stability of the client might get affected

The healthcare facility (hospital) can handle this situation by:

·        Setting up an ethical committee

·        Warning other physicians about such malpractices

The low-value health care procedures include all the extra medications or diagnostic test, which eventually will have the least effect on the patient's condition. This practice is generally followed by some physicians to recover their health care cost or the cost of the hospital, in small fractions from various patients. For example, prescribing a blood test and a vitamin supplement along with the antibiotics in case of any infection.

The problems that might be faced by the client to change the physician's behavior while prescribing low-value procedures are:

·        The physician might not agree: - in this, the physician might not agree with the suggestion made by the client as his main concern is to recover the health care cost and believes that the client or the patient lack the associated knowledge with the treatment plan.

·        The physician can also manipulate: - in this, the physician manipulates the client or the patient by modifying the prescription, after which the patient thinks that the doctor has accepted his suggestion but is unaware of the actual scenario that the doctor has just manipulated the same thing and the person is unaware of it because of lack of knowledge.

·        The financial stability of the client might get affected: - in this, if the doctor completely disagrees with the patient or manipulates him in either way, both the approach will affect the pocket and financial stability of the person, as still the cost of the health care facilities is being recovered from the person.

The healthcare facility (hospital) can handle this situation by:

·        Setting up an ethical committee: - in this, the hospital will not support and risk their existence just because of a doctor. Instead the facility will set up an ethical committee where the patient can raise the matter and the necessary action can be taken over the accused medical personal.

·        Warning other physicians: - in this, the hospital administration will warn other medical staff about the incidence and will ask them not to repeat such practices again and if any such incident gets reported again the hospital can terminate and recommend the cancellation of doctors practicing license.