The QALY argument: a physician's and a philosopher's view

J Med Ethics. 1990 Jun;16(2):93-4. doi: 10.1136/jme.16.2.93.

Abstract

The arguments used by Gavin Mooney in his scornful response to Castigating QALYs, are examined. In spite of the rhetoric there is a broad measure of agreement about the deficiencies of QALYs as a means of distributing scarce resources. The main area of conflict is that John Rawles favours compaigning for more resources while Gavin Mooney, constrained by his remit as a health economist, favours acceptance of the present level of funding and better methods of distributing resources.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Economics*
  • Ethics, Medical
  • Health Care Rationing*
  • Patient Selection
  • Philosophy, Medical*
  • Physicians
  • Resource Allocation*
  • Value of Life*