Preventing Medical Rationing Practices
Preventing Medical Rationing Practices
(Preventing Medical Rationing Practices)
Economics evidence based.
Discuss a time when you witnessed how medical rationing has been implemented. What could you do to prevent it? If you have never seen medical rationing during your experience, discuss a situation where it could be utilized and ways to prevent it.
references less than 5 years
Economics evidence based.
Medical rationing, the controlled allocation of scarce healthcare resources, often occurs when demand outstrips availability, leading to difficult decisions about who receives care. An example of medical rationing I’ve seen is during the COVID-19 pandemic when hospitals experienced ICU bed and ventilator shortages. Healthcare workers prioritized treatment for patients most likely to survive, while others received supportive rather than intensive care due to resource constraints.
To help prevent medical rationing, it’s essential to address resource limitations and improve preparedness. For example, hospitals could increase the availability of critical equipment like ventilators and ICU beds, especially during pandemic surges. Policies that fund and support healthcare infrastructure, including emergency stockpiles of equipment and staff, are also vital. Investing in preventative healthcare can reduce patient loads and allow resources to be directed to those who need them most.
Another strategy is the use of telemedicine to reduce physical strain on healthcare facilities by providing care remotely. This approach ensures that mild cases can be managed outside of critical care facilities, reserving in-hospital resources for those with severe conditions. Ensuring equitable healthcare access through insurance reform and subsidy programs can also reduce the burden on emergency services, distributing care more effectively.
References:
Kastor, J. A. (2020). “COVID-19 and Health Care’s Refusal to Use the R-Word: Rationing.” The American Journal of Medicine, 133(9), e461–e462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.05.016
McCabe, R., Schmit, N., Christen, P., D’Aeth, J. C., Løchen, A., Rizmie, D., & Patel, P. (2020). “Adapting hospital capacity to meet changing demands during the COVID-19 pandemic.” BMC Medicine, 18(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-020-01872-6
Zarzaur, B. L., & Stahl, C. C. (2020). “The age of COVID‐19: Months of isolation when time equals lives.” Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 89(3), 337-344. https://doi.org/10.1097/TA.0000000000002835