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Biomedical subjects

A R Somers

Publications and source records attributed to A R Somers.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

The changing demand for health services: a historical perspective and some thoughts for the future.

Among the many factors contributing to the rise in health care costs, recent attention has concentrated on the supply side. Demand factors have generally been neglected or misunderstood. Developments discussed in this paper include: growing public skepticism toward new therapies and drugs; increasing emphasis on patient autonomy and other indications of willingness by the public to assume greater responsibility for its own health; changing relations between income, education, and health care use; the aging of the population and the concomitant rise in chronic conditions; the recent reversal of the former quest for greater equity in health care; and the shrinking American family. Despite the complexity and contradictions within these developments, I perceive a leveling off of demand, especially for acute hospital care, even apart from external financial constraints, accompanied by a rising demand for preventive services and primary and long-term care. It is time to recognize the policy implications of these developments and begin to reorganize our health care system accordingly. But is it too late? Have we the will to do so?

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1983

And who shall be the gatekeeper? The role of the primary physician in the health care delivery system.

In a speech at the Duke University Medical Center, the author discussed the growing interest in a primary care "gatekeeper" to monitor and/or control patient use of hospital and specialist services. She pointed out that there have been advocates for such a system for over 50 years-partly to assure appropriate levels of care to the entire population, partly to reduce the costs of more expensive specialist care. She went on to discuss the issues inherent in such a concept.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1979

The Hunterdon story.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Community Health Centers↗
PubMed1979

Marital status, health, and use of health services. An old relationship revisited.

Historical data indicate that married persons live longer on the average than unmarried persons and that they generally make less use of health care services. These facts are increasingly important in view of the growing proportion of "singles" in the US population. The complex cause-and-effect relationship between marriage and better health has long been recognized, but there is now some indication that the relationship is less strong than before. Despite lack of precise knowledge on many aspects of this issue, two facts are clear: perceptions of health, illness, and "need" for health care are constantly changing and as the family's role in health has declined, there has been a concurrent rise in the "need" for, and cost of, the external health care system. The future of these trends depends, in part, on the future of the American family.

Adolescent↗