Slow Medicine

Elena Hill1

  • 1From the Family Medicine Attending Physician, Bronxcare Health Systems, Bronx, NY (EH). ehill3047@gmail.com.

Insights

Fast medicine, characterized by high medical use and spending, is contrasted with "slow medicine," emphasizing primary care. The piece argues for the superior health outcomes and value derived from slow medicine, advocating for increased primary care resources.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Ethics
  • Health Services Research
  • Primary Care Medicine

Background:

  • The current healthcare system often prioritizes high-cost interventions over preventative care.
  • A dichotomy exists between

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the ethical considerations of

Main Methods:

  • This is an opinion piece, drawing on a personal patient case study.
  • Ethical analysis of medical decision-making.

Main Results:

  • The case study highlights the risks associated with aggressive interventions.
  • Primary care, or "slow medicine," is presented as a more effective framework for conferring patient health.

Conclusions:

  • Advocacy for increased investment in primary care resources is crucial.
  • Slow medicine offers a more sustainable and effective model for improving overall patient health outcomes.

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