166924 Closure of Philadelphia General Hospital: Politics and effects

Monday, November 5, 2007: 4:50 PM

David B. Smith, PhD , Professor Fox School of Business Management, Temple University Discipline: Social Psychology Expertise: Health Care Inequalities, Philadelphia, PA
Professor David B. Smith of Temple University will describe how Philadelphia General Hospital had a long and illustrious history as a safety net hospital and teaching institution. Decades of neglect and political apathy made closure expedient for the politicians and other hospitals in the Philadelphia area at the time. Professor Smith will review this history and what lesson can be learned to prevent public hospital neglect in the future.

Learning Objectives:
Describe Philadelphia General Hospital’s past achievements and subsequent decline. Analyze the factors leading to the decision to close Philadelphia General Hospital. Discuss what Philadelphia General Hospital’s history suggests to advocates wishing to protect public hospitals.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.