The financial imperative of physicians to control demand of laboratory testing.
Murphy, R K J McHugh, S O'Farrell, N Dougherty, B Sheikh, A Corrigan, M Hill, A D K
Murphy, R K J
McHugh, S
O'Farrell, N
Dougherty, B
Sheikh, A
Corrigan, M
Hill, A D K
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Date
2012-02-01T10:00:22Z
Date Submitted
Keywords
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Subject Mesh
Adult
Clinical Laboratory Techniques/*economics
Female
Health Care Costs/statistics & numerical data
Health Services Needs and Demand/*statistics & numerical data
Humans
Ireland
Male
*Physician's Role
Unnecessary Procedures/*economics
Clinical Laboratory Techniques/*economics
Female
Health Care Costs/statistics & numerical data
Health Services Needs and Demand/*statistics & numerical data
Humans
Ireland
Male
*Physician's Role
Unnecessary Procedures/*economics
Planned Date
Start Date
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Principal Investigators
Alternative Titles
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Abstract
It is an integral component of doctor's duty of care to understand the significant impact laboratory testing has on the expense an ultimate quality of healthcare patients receive, yet the costs of these tests are poorly perceived. Utilising semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, we assessed surgeon's perceived costs of two commonly encountered clinical scenarios requiring out of hours laboratory testing. Of the 35 participants only 23.3% (n = 7) accurately estimated the overall cost. The most expensive test was "Type and Screen" at Euro 83, with 77.3% (n = 17) underestimating the cost. Non-consultant hospital doctors qualified for 3 years were more likely to underestimate on-call costs (p = 0.042). It is of utmost importance to improve the knowledge of all surgeons of the financial implications of investigations. Through education we can potentially reduce un-warranted costs and fulfill our duty of care in the most cost efficient manner.
Language
eng
Citation
ISSN
0332-3102 (Print)
0332-3102 (Linking)
0332-3102 (Linking)
eISSN
ISBN
DOI
PMID
21387879