Cost containment: the effect of educating family practice residents and their patients

A study was carried out to see if medical costs could be lowered by educating twenty six family practice residents and their patients. Four study conditions were were created: both resident and patient educated, resident only educated, patient only educated, and neither educated. Encounter data were collected before and after the resident education phase and a follow-up phone call was made to patients to obtain information on their current health. Cost measures included 1) physician's fee, 2) laboratory fees and 3) total ambulatory costs. Costs were lowered only in the both-educated group for laboratory costs. It was not sufficient to educate only residents, the group generally targeted for education about cost. This finding suggests that the most effective educational programs may involve patients as well as physicians.