RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Coping with obligations towards patient and society: an empirical study of attitudes and practice among Norwegian physicians.
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 158
OP 161
DO 10.1136/jme.21.3.158
VO 21
IS 3
A1 T Arnesen
A1 S Fredriksen
YR 1995
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/21/3/158.abstract
AB A questionnaire relating to attitudes towards setting economic priorities within the health care system was sent to all 151 general practitioners in Northern Norway. Of these, 109 (72 per cent) responded. Ninety-six per cent of the respondents agreed or partly agreed that the setting of economic priorities within the health care system was necessary. Ninety-three per cent had experienced a conflict between their responsibility towards the individual patient and the requirement for them to manage the health budget. The responses suggest that doctors act more in the interests of their patient than the interests of society. However, 68 per cent reported having refrained from giving the best treatment to patients because it was too expensive. As many as 60 per cent of the respondents wanted more public guidelines. Only 10 per cent wanted doctors to have more influence in difficult questions arising from setting priorities.