Doesn't smarter medicine run the risk of rationing medical services?

 

With smarter medicine, patients are not deprived of sensible treatments, and it is in no way intended to save money at the expense of patients. However, patients cannot be interested in treatments that do not benefit them or even harm them. The freedom of choice of patients is not restricted by smarter medicine, but on the contrary expanded. Patients should make their decisions in dialogue with doctors, in which the question of the treatment that makes sense in a specific case is at the centre. If health care costs can be saved by dispensing with unnecessary examinations and treatments that can harm patients, this can be an effective means against rationing in other areas. Smart medicine is not about rationing, but about making wise decisions for the benefit of patients and ultimately to ensure high-quality medicine.

 

See also interview with Christoph A. Meier and Erika Ziltener in special issue 'Primary and Hospital Care'.