HEALTHCARE RESOURCE ALLOCATION
“I want to talk to you about one of the biggest myths in medicine, and that is the idea that all we need are more medical breakthroughs and then all of our problems will be solved.” - Quyen Nguyen, MD, PhD
When subjected to limited resources, medical professionals must often decide on which patients will receive treatment. Whether it be donor organs, vaccines, or other forms of medical aid, it is a very difficult decision which must be based on objective principles and medical need. As it pertains to the outcome of the patients, the physician is not usually allowed to make this decision. It will instead be guided by a set of policies.
Five Guiding Principles
These ethical principles are provided by the AMA Code of Medical Ethics
3. Duration of Benefit
How long will the benefit last if the treatment is successful?
1. Degree of Benefit
How much of an effect will treatment have on the patient?
4. Cost
How expensive will treatment be in terms of resources?
2. Likelihood of Benefit
What is the probability of a positive outcome from treatment?
5. Number of People
How many people (patient or in contact with patient) will benefit?
AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs. (2011, April 1). AMA code of Medical Ethics' opinions on allocating medical resources. Journal of Ethics | American Medical Association. Retrieved March 29, 2022, from https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/ama-code-medical-ethics-opinions-allocating-medical-resources/2011-04
RESOURCE ALLOCATION CASE STUDIES
-
Preferential Treatment of Famous or Influential People? - Case by UW Department of Bioethics
-
Healthcare for undocumented immigrants - Report by UCLA