comparing healthcare in the us, uk and germany
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INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH & OPINION
Regulatory and Healthcare News
Comparing healthcare in the US,UK and Germany
There is still room for improvement in the healthcaresystems of the US, Britain and Germany, accordingto a new study conducted by the consulting firmMcKinsey.
The study showed that, in 1990, per capitahealthcare spending in the US was 120% more thanthat in Britain and 65% higher than that in Germany.Interestingly, in terms of the quality-adjusted life-yearsgained per unit of medical input, US hospitals dobetter than German hospitals for patients with breastand lung cancers.
In these terms, US hospitals are also superior toBritish hospitals for the treatment of lung cancer andgallstones, but the British system provides moreeffective care for patients with diabetes mellitus.
Weaknesses for each of the healthcare systemswere highlighted by the study. These include:• the incentives for prolonged hospital stay in Germany
• the slow introduction of new technology in Britain• the lack of incentives to provide long-term, low
technology care in the US
• the high cost of doctors' time and healthadministration in the US.
It was concluded that health maintenance organisations are helping to address the weaknesses in the US
system, while reforms to the British National HealthSystem are encouraging positive changes. However,Germany is making little progress towards improvingits healthcare system, according to the report.The economics of health care: heal yourselves. Economist 342: 127-128,9Nov 1996 ......172
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