Annals of Family Medicine Annals Impact Factor is 4.5
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Annals of Family Medicine 6:263-266 (2008)
© 2008 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.
doi: 10.1370/afm.837
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow In Brief
Right arrow TRACK Comments: Submit a response
Right arrow TRACK Comments: View responses
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when TRACK Comments are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by DeVoe, J.
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by DeVoe, J.

Essay

The Unsustainable US Health Care System: A Blueprint for Change

Jennifer DeVoe, MD, DPhil

Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland

CORRESPONDING ADDRESS: Jennifer DeVoe, MD, DPhil, Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 Sam Jackson Park Rd: mailcode FM, Portland, OR 97329 devoej{at}ohsu.edu

ABSTRACT

As a family physician, I have become increasingly uncomfortable being associated with the US health care system. While shiny, new buildings go up each day, there is still little movement toward a model that will shore up the crumbling foundation. The current delivery system and financing structures are unsustainable. Inequitable distribution of resources continues, and an increasing number of American families do not have access to adequate care. In this essay, patient stories are woven into a narrative that highlights the magnitude of the problem at multiple levels of the system. My intent is not to compare stories, because we all have patients, friends, and family members who have been affected. The purpose of this essay is to encourage each reader to reflect on his or her own experiences and to present an imperative to lead change.

Key Words: Delivery of health care • health policy • health care quality, access, and evaluation • access to health care • health care economics and organizations




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Ann Fam MedHome page
W. R. Phillips
A healthy conversation.
Ann. Fam. Med, July 1, 2008; 6(4): 370 - 372.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Ann Fam MedHome page
J. J. Frey III
In This Issue: Doctor-Patient, Doctor-System, Doctor-Public
Ann. Fam. Med, May 1, 2008; 6(3): 194 - 195.
[Full Text] [PDF]

TRACK Comments:

Read all TRACK Comments

US Health Care System - A Problem With Deep Roots
Zsolt J Nagykaldi
Annals of Family Medicine, 16 May 2008 [Full text]
Medical homes for all
Bill Cayley
Annals of Family Medicine, 16 May 2008 [Full text]
Response to Dr De Voe
Tom A Jenkins MD
Annals of Family Medicine, 16 May 2008 [Full text]
Let's also get our own 'house' in order
Michael K Park
Annals of Family Medicine, 16 May 2008 [Full text]
Comment for Dr. De Voe
Leon N. Zoghlin
Annals of Family Medicine, 20 May 2008 [Full text]
Health Care Reform
John Geyman, M.D.
Annals of Family Medicine, 22 May 2008 [Full text]
The only path to sustainability
Barry G Saver
Annals of Family Medicine, 27 May 2008 [Full text]
Restructuring Health Care System Requires Changing Health Care's relationship with Industry
Lenard Lesser
Annals of Family Medicine, 2 Jun 2008 [Full text]

HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2008 by the Annals of Family Medicine.