MATURE MARKET HEADLINES updated 10/12/99
Dermatology Study Calls HMO Skin Care Rash
In an effort to be cost-conscious, managed care systems discourage the initial use of dermatologists in the management of skin conditions by limiting direct access. Between 1990 and 1994, eighty-three million visited a primary care provider in response to a dermatological problem. Less than six percent of these patients were referred to a dermatologist.
A new study suggests that this practice compromise the quality of care patients with skin disorders receive, and may be an inefficient use of medical resources. Unnecessary medical costs may result because the patient is finally referred to a dermatologist only after numerous visits and failed treatment. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by Steven R. Feldman, MD, a dermatologist at the Wake-Forest School of Medicine. The study is titled "The Gatekeeper Model is Inefficient For The Delivery of Dermatological Services," and appears in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
The purpose of this study was to determine the likelihood that patients with a dermatological condition who see a primary care provider will be referred to a dermatologist. The study showed that chances are good that a large percentage of patients will in fact be referred, but only after numerous visits and ineffective treatment, which is an inefficient use of medical resources. These results presented a strong argument of the cost-effectiveness of direct access to dermatologists.
This study indicates that there is substantial inefficiency associated with "indirect" access to dermatologist ... the multiple visits to primary care providers before the eventual referral to a dermatologist. This inefficiency was most notable with family/general practitioners who referred 8 percent to 23 percent of patients. Internists referred 16 percent to 45 percent of their patients. The inefficiency appears even greater when the total number of office visits to the primary care provider before referral is taken into account.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), founded in 1938, is committed to advancing the science and art of medicine and surgery related to the skin. For more information, consumers can contact the AAD at 1-888-462 DERM.
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Informed Women Best Rx for Safe Medicine
This October, millions of women will have access to specialized information about the proper use of medications in a national public awareness campaign being jointly conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. The safe use of medicines is particularly important for women since they use medications more frequently than men and are more likely to supervise medication use by family members, including children and elderly parents.
An unprecedented partnership of more than 80 non-profit and corporate supporters as well as 20,000 chain drug pharmacies are working together to provide women with critical information about how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of taking both over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Three out of four doctor visits in the United States result in physicians issuing a prescription, and in 1999 alone, an estimated 3 billion prescriptions will be dispensed to patients. And yet in hundreds of cases consumers
- misread or don't read the label
- combine medications drugs without knowing the possible side effects
- take too little or too much of a medication
- don't finish taking the prescribed amount.
Studies show that 30% to 50% of Americans do not take their medication as directed and as a result, preventable medicine-related illnesses cost $76 billion dollars each year in doctor visits, unnecessary prescriptions, lost productivity and increased hospital and nursing home admissions.
The goal of the campaign is to distribute the "My Medicines" brochure which has four key messages: Read the label; Avoid Problems; Ask Questions; and Keep a Record. The brochure will be available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Polish and a number of Asian languages. In addition, a national toll free number, 1-877-RX WOMEN, for questions regarding medicines will be online October 26th. To receive a free copy
of the "My Medicines" brochure call toll free 1-888-8-PUEBLO
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
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AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Singapore Expands Senior Tourist Discounts
In honor of the United Nations Year of the Older Person, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has upgraded its popular mature travelers program and extended the promotion through August 2000 as part of the country's 15-month Millenia Mania celebration. STB's series of mature traveler discounts offers reduced admissions for many of Singapore's top attractions, museums, and harbor-river cruises.
The mature traveler discounts, offered only to travelers age 60 and above last year, are now available to independent travelers aged 55 and above. The discounts are extended upon presentation of a valid passport or other form of identification.
Mature travelers looking to explore Southeast Asia on their next trip abroad will get one of their best insights into Asian lifestyle by beginning their journey in the multi-cultural and sophisticated country of Singapore. Singapore enjoys an international reputation as one of the safest cities in the world. Coupled with the fact that English is widely spoken, it is a friendly destination.
To assist seniors, the STB has published a 38-page mature travelers guide to Singapore. For additional information or a copy to the brochure, seniors can visit the Singapore Tourism Board website at: www.singapore-usa.com
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AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Dr. David Demko, Editor
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