Managed care organizations and academic medicine: establishing a more effective working alliance

Instead of focusing solely on the demonization of "managed care" as an abstract concept, we suggest that institutions of medical education recognize that managed care in some form is here to stay. We believe it is critical that both academic institutions and managed care organizations work together to optimize health care delivery. In order to achieve this, we suggest that responsible physicians work toward the development of a more effective "working alliance" between managed care organizations and academic medical centers. This working alliance would involve the exchange of ideas and focused efforts by both parties to educate the other. Specific interventions are described.