Physician Group Guidelines Urge Doctors To Weigh Costs
The American College of Physicians has taken a new position on cost control, urging physicians to practice "parsimonious" treatment. In the sixth edition of ACP's Ethics Manual, the group emphasizes each physician's duty to "practice effective and efficient health care, and to use health care resources responsibly." ACP notes that "[p]arsimonious care that utilizes the most efficient means to effectively diagnose a condition and treat a patient respects the need to use resources wisely and to help ensure that resources are equitably available." According to ACP President Virginia Hood, the guidelines are intended to reduce overall health care costs and improve patient care.
- "Should Doctors Be 'Parsimonious' About Health Care?" (Stein, "Shots," NPR, 1/3).
- "ACP Makes Close Watch on Costs an Ethical Issue" (Frieden, MedPage Today, 1/3).