PubMed · 7614296
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L B Becker. Methodology and truth.. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1553-2712.1994.tb02519.x
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The use and importance of specific decision-making tools, information sources, and drug-use management methods in determining drug availability and use in HMOs were studied. A questionnaire was sent to 303 randomly selected HMOs. Respondents were asked to rate their use of each of four formal decision-making tools and its relative importance, as well as the use and importance of eight information sources and 11 methods for managing drug availability and use, on a 5-point scale. The survey response rate was 28%. Approximately half of the respondents reported that their HMOs used decision analysis or multiattribute analysis in deciding on drug availability. If used, these tools were rated as very important. There were significant differences in levels of use by HMO type, membership size, and age. Journal articles and reference books were reported most often as information sources. Retrospective drug-use review was used very often and perceived to be very important in managing drug use. Other management methods were used only occasionally, but the importance placed on these tools when used ranged from moderately to very important. Older organizations used most of the management methods more often than did other HMOs. Decision analysis and multiattribute analysis were the most commonly used tools for deciding on which drugs to make available to HMO members, and reference books and journal articles were the most commonly used information sources. Retrospective and prospective drug-use reviews were the most commonly applied methods for managing HMO members' access to drugs.
The type and extent of ambulatory care clinical pharmaceutical services in selected Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs) were studied as part of a larger project. Questionnaires were sent to the 174 VAMCs to determine the extent of clinical pharmacy activity in ambulatory care clinics, characteristics of outpatient pharmacies and clinics, and characteristics of ambulatory care pharmacists in VAMCs and to identify sites for the IMPROVE (Impact of Managed Pharmaceutical Care on Resource Utilization and Outcomes in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers) project. Fifty VAMCs responded to the survey. There were 512 ambulatory care clinics within these VAMCs. There was some pharmacist coverage in 75% of the clinics. The highest pharmacist coverage was in walk-in refill, therapeutic drug monitoring, and anticoagulation clinics. Clinical pharmacists at 68% of the VAMCs had prescribing privileges in ambulatory care clinics. Clinical pharmacists managed 29.9% of the clinics. The types of clinics most commonly managed by pharmacists were therapeutic drug monitoring, anticoagulation, walk-in refill, and lipid clinics. Nurse practitioners or physician assistants also were providing primary care in 41% of the clinics. There were 242 ambulatory care clinical pharmacy specialists practicing in the 50 VAMCs. Of these, 41.3% had three years or less of ambulatory care experience. Most pharmacists were in the clinic five days per week. A Pharm.D. degree was the highest degree obtained for 76.9%. Ambulatory care pharmaceutical services are common in VAMCs and are being provided by numerous clinical pharmacists.
The opinions and experiences of board-certified emergency physicians regarding employment structure and finances, professional society policies, and quality of patient care have never been formally studied. A survey questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 1,050 emergency physicians certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. The survey contained 29 multiple choice questions. Of the 1,050, 465 (44.3%) of the surveys were returned. Respondents averaged 13.5 years of emergency medicine practice, 83% were members of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and 44% were emergency medicine residency trained. Seventy-five percent felt they had been financially exploited by the emergency department contract holder and 49% considered leaving their employer because of unfair business practices. Fifteen percent have been terminated without due process/peer review, and 11% have been forced to leave a position, move, or pay compensation because of noncompete clauses. The majority reported encountering instances of substandard emergency medical care, most commonly in settings with multihospital contract company coverage. The majority also believe their specialty societies should address issues of employment structure and quality of patient care standards.