Most physicians feel that they have not been adequately prepared to deal with the numerous financial and practice management issues faced upon graduating from medical school. A survey addressing current health care delivery issues was developed and administered to 168 second year medical students. The survey, consisting of 64 knowledge and attitude statements was given before and after a 20-hour seminar overview of health care financing, services, and delivery. Examples of survey findings prior to the seminar were: 1) nearly twice as many students felt that managed care control of the health care system was a more important issue than the number of uninsured, 2.) sixty-three percent of the students were optimistic about the future of our health care system but, 3.) only 23% of the students knew that services provided in physician offices are covered under Medicare part B. The increased awareness of issues that future physicians will face and their attitudes towards the health care climate will also be discussed. Future analyses of cohorts of students is planned at critical points in their careers: fourth year, completion of residency and five years into practice. Education about health care financing, services, and delivery should be integral components of undergraduate and graduate medical education. This research demonstrates the importance of including these issues into curriculum development in order to effectively prepare future physicians to influence the evolution of our health care system.
Learning Objectives: 1) Describe medical student knowledge and attitudes about the health care system. 2) Discuss variations in perceptions of health care delivery issues following course instruction 3) Outline components of health care delivery that should be included in medical education
Keywords: Education, Managed Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.