Laboratory medicine and pathology services under fixed funding arrangements
Cowley D E
Record ID 31999008355
English
Authors' objectives:
To address issues raised by fixed funding arrangements, in the light of the Alberta experience. These include the centralisation of services, development of integrated information systems, monitoring demand, promotion of the appropriate use of services, and maintenance of quality. The paper is concerned with the use of laboratory medicine and pathology in diagnosis and patient management, and does not address public health issues.
Authors' recommendations:
The changes to laboratory medicine and pathology funding in Alberta have had a dramatic impact on the structure of these services. The social cost in terms of job losses has been considerable. There is a need to be certain that the changes benefit the Province, and that the benefit will continue. This suggests the need for planning on a provincial basis.
Any major change to health services should be subjected to a first appraisal by an independent agency after the initial operating period. This should be followed by regular independent reviews. It would be desirable for an appraisal of the restructuring of laboratory medicine and pathology services in Alberta to be undertaken in the near future.
Information on the outcomes of the changes in Alberta would be of substantial interest to other Canadian Provinces, and other countries concerned with the high cost of laboratory medicine and pathology. It is suggested that the results of any research on the effects of the changes, and any formal appraisal of the new system, should be made available to health authorities in other Provinces and countries.
Authors' methods:
Overview
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
1998
URL for published report:
https://www.ihe.ca/advanced-search?type=1020
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Costs and Cost Analysis
- Fees and Charges
- Pathology
Contact
Organisation Name:
Institute of Health Economics
Contact Address:
1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018;
Contact Name:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Contact Email:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Copyright:
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.