| Is medical research cost effective? Response to Murphy and Topel. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 14563079 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The paper explores the relationship between medical innovation and cost of treatment. The methodology used by Murphy and Topel to calculate the statistical value of a life is examined. The authors discuss possible confounding factors, such as the general trend of decreasing mortality, and consider the possibility that non-medical sources, especially the decrease in tobacco use, may explain much of the decrease in mortality rates. The authors suggest an alternative to Murphy and Topel's population-level model for assessing the benefits of medical technology, based on Lewis Thomas' categorization of three levels of technology: non-technology ("caring"), half-way technology (does not reverse or prevent the underlying problem), and high technology (preventative or curative). The categories are applied to the example of type 1 diabetes mellitus, in which quality of life and mortality improvements are clearly the result of technological changes and not behavioral modifications. The authors emphasize the cost-effectiveness of high technology, which is based on medical research advances. |
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Authors:
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Mark Siegler; Alix Weisfeld; David Cronin |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Comment; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Perspectives in biology and medicine Volume: 46 ISSN: 0031-5982 ISO Abbreviation: Perspect. Biol. Med. Publication Date: 2003 |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2003-10-17 Completed Date: 2004-01-05 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0401132 Medline TA: Perspect Biol Med Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: S129-37 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. msiegler@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Biomedical Research
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economics* Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality, therapy Cost-Benefit Analysis Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / mortality, therapy Female Health Care Costs* Humans Longevity* Male Mortality / trends Quality of Life* Quality-Adjusted Life Years United States |
| Comments/Corrections | |
Comment On:
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Perspect Biol Med. 2003 Summer;46(3 Suppl):S108-28
[PMID:
14563078
]
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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