Using Economic Evaluation to Improve the Quality of Care: An Attitudinal Outcome in a Pharmacoeconomics Course
Professor Lon N. Larson Ph.D.pages: 19 - 28
- DOI: 10.1300/J060v08n04_02
- Version of record first published: 15Nov2001
Abstract:
Since treatment decisions made on behalf of an individual patient consume resources from a shared pool of funds, they affect-and may even harm-the health of the population or community. For health professionals and students who are accustomed to disregarding cost in the name of quality this is a difficult concept to accept. Yet it must be accepted if limited resources are to be used to achieve their maximum benefit. To this end, an attitudinal or affective outcome was added to a course in pharmacoeconomics; specifically, in making drug use decisions or recommendations, the student, realizing that resources are limited, considers the opportunity cost and the welfare of the community. This paper describes the rationale for such an outcome, the methods used to accomplish it, and the success achieved.