By Tom Avril
Philly.com
Originally posted November 8, 2015
Here are two excerpt:
While the field of medicine has moved increasingly toward paying doctors for performance, there has been little controlled research on whether it works. Studies of patients, meanwhile, have found that incentives can encourage healthy behaviors such as giving up cigarettes.
But in a study of 1,503 patients announced Sunday, the Penn team reported that the most effective approach, at least where statins are concerned, may be to reward both patient and physician.
"In some respects, it takes two to tango," said lead author David A. Asch, a professor at Penn's Perelman School of Medicine.
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Even if money helps, the notion of paying people to do the right thing may rub some the wrong way.
"We shouldn't have to," said Bobbi Cecco, president of the Hackensack, N.J., chapter of the Mended Hearts patient support group. "But if that's what it comes down to . . ."
Wei, the Michigan physician, said she already is motivated to help her patients stick with their medicine.
"Financial incentives wouldn't change my values or patient care," she said. "I am also an idealist."
The entire article is here.
