Ethical issues in the managed care setting: a new curriculum for primary care physicians

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Healthcare Management
• Physician Education

Background:

• The transition to managed healthcare in the U.S. presents significant ethical dilemmas for physicians.
• Key concerns include evolving professional roles, resource allocation, and impacts on the doctor-patient relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, implement, and assess a curriculum aimed at equipping physicians to navigate ethical issues within managed care.
• Focus on primary care physicians in managed care settings.

Main Methods:

• Curriculum development involved literature review, physician focus groups, and needs assessments.
• A 7.5-hour program delivered over five sessions utilized diverse teaching methodologies.

Main Results:

• Post-curriculum evaluations indicated increased physician awareness and knowledge of managed care ethics.
• Learners reported a positive impact on their ability to manage ethical challenges and a willingness to alter their teaching practices.

Conclusions:

• The developed curriculum effectively improved physicians' understanding and coping mechanisms for ethical issues in managed care.
• Further research should explore the curriculum's impact on physician behavior and job satisfaction.