Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the AmericanMedical Association (AMA) first arose as a loose association of medical professionals and scientists in 1847. The writer points out that the group was intended to increase the standards of medical and biological education in North America, but was considered both impractical and utopian by many. The writer then looks at the mission of the organization today and discusses the political action committee's activities. The writer maintains that from Medicare to animal testing to malpractice insure, the AMA and the AmericanMedical Association political action committee, which are, for all intents and purposes, one in the same, have served their beneficiaries as well as possible, through lobbying and outward pressure. The writer concludes that their methods may have brimmed over the line of constitutionality at points, but that should not mar the AMA's record because, as a political action committee, it has done all in its power to legally and persuasively enact legislature to assist America's doctors.
From the Paper "Current president of the AMA, Ronald M. Davis, gave a speech in 2005, which highlighted the organization's illustrious history more than any political or economic agendas. At Smith Davis's initial meeting, over two hundred and fifty delegates from twenty-eight states voted to elect Nathanial Chapman the organization's first president. His first actions included those that would be deemed necessary by burgeoning doctors; the condemnation of secretive and patent medicine, which robbed business, and the establishment of a code of medical ethics and the world's first Committee on Medical Ethics to enforce the doctrines. By the end of the nineteenth century, the groundwork had been laid for the organization's present political sphere of influence."
Abstract This paper discusses the achievements of the AmericanMedical Association (AMA). It begins by describing the mission statement of the AMA and its goals and then discusses how it goes about achieving those goals. Next, the paper discusses some of the highlights and landmarks in the earlier development of the AMA. It looks at the AMA in a contemporary setting and finally discusses marketing with regards to the AMA.
From the Paper "Marketing is also facilitated by the involvement of members and the medical community and in this regard the marketing strategy involves the distribution of flyers, posters and brochures as well as "Why join the AMA" talking points cards. (Marketing the AMA) This is also facilitated by the free print-on-demand services that the Website offers. Marketing to the public is also promo toted by extensive media exposure. This refers to the public health proposals, recommendations and resolutions that are made by the American Medical Association. For example, the AMA stand against smoking has achieved a high media profile, which I turn has promoted the Association's ideals and aims."
Abstract This paper discusses how it is an irrefutable fact that the Americanmedical care system is in the midst of an immense and complicated state of crisis and how this crisis is multifaceted, carrying with it not only financial, but ethical and political implications as well. It shows how the degrees to which Americans are affected by this crisis vary greatly and how the current widespread problem leaves virtually no American unscathed. It argues that, while America is said to lead the world in medical research and its ability to treat and cure some of the most complex and deadly illnesses, it lags behind every other industrialized nation in the world in guaranteeing all of its people access to the best that medical care has to offer.
From the Paper "Nearly 44 million Americans are without any form of health insurance. This is a figure that includes people of all ages, income levels, and ethnic backgrounds. Contrary to popular belief, "uninsured" does not necessarily connote ?unemployed,? as approximately 80% of the uninsured population is currently under part-time or full-time employment (Hayashi, 2004). Furthermore, Americans are losing their health care plans at an astoundingly rapid rate. In the year 2002 alone, approximately 2.4 million Americans lost their health care. This number signifies the largest increase in more than ten years (Washington Post, 2003-a). To make matters worse, health insurance premiums increased by an astonishing 13.9 percent between 2002 and 2003. This has been the highest observed increase in over a decade."
Abstract The paper discusses the ethics of the medical care non-disclosure agreement between doctor and patient, which ensures that patients have the freedom to be absolutely honest with their physicians. Frequently the lives of patients depend upon the assurance of confidentiality, which ensures that patients will release all the information necessary to be treated in a targeted and effective way. The paper highlights that the AmericanMedical Association has provided guidelines for doctor-patient confidentiality and its maintenance, particularly as relevant to computer databases. The paper discusses the general guidelines for the relationship between physicians and their patients, along with the maintenance of their confidentiality levels.
From the Paper "To provide optimal protection of privacy, the computerized medical database should be online to the terminal only when computer programs with the necessary authorization, and specifically requiring the data, are in use. No person or entity outside of the clinical facility should have access to any online computerized database with medical records of patients who can be identified via the program. This ensures continued doctor-patient confidentiality, which belongs to the patient according to standard medical ethics, as well as the law."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that in generations gone by, medical treatment in America was little else than a local doctor, while small, regional hospitals existed to take care of surgeries and major medical issues, but in both cases, the options for treatment were limited, and in many cases, patients did not fare well. Luckily, as technology has advanced, so too has the Americanmedical system to the point where many consider the Americanmedical system to be among the best in the world. The writer discusses that this progress has come with a heavy financial burden, however, turning American medicine into an industry, and like most industries, the federal government has taken up a role. In this paper, the federal healthcare agenda is discussed and explored from several points of view in an effort to better understand the many facets of the topic. The writer concludes that American healthcare has in some respects been the barometer of social and economic change in the nation.
Outline:
Introduction
Healthcare Becomes Part of the Federal Agenda
Proposed Alternatives to Address the Issue
Successful and Potentially Successful Alternatives/Who Developed the Alternatives?
Concessions in Developing the Alternatives
Conclusion
From the Paper " Introducing this paper, the assertion was made that American healthcare has become an industry and part of the federal agenda. Better understanding of how this came about requires an explanation of the evolution of the American healthcare "industry", and to look at that requires a glimpse into post Civil-War America, of the late 1860s. In that period, two very important events took place-one in America itself and another in Europe- which set the pace for the birth of the American healthcare industry. Domestically, America entered into a period of economic and commercial advancement that would in retrospect become known as the Industrial Revolution, attracting millions of people from rural areas to urban areas in search of work, which led to the demand for organized healthcare in the cities where industrial accidents and the disease associated with large numbers of people living in cramped areas became commonplace. In Europe, scientific discoveries into the nature of germs helped to develop more medicines which could be offered to the sick- at a price, of course."
This paper examines the alternative forms of medical education due to the high competition and difficult entrance requirements of Americanmedical schools.
Abstract This paper begins by discussing the problems that American students have in being accepted into medical schools. It examines the high entrance requirements and minimum acceptance levels and explains why this has lead to the phenomenon of alternative medical schools opening up abroad for American students. It reviews some of these offshore medical school programs and the options of specialization through these courses.
From the Paper "Medical school admission is a highly competitive process that only evaluates and admits the most qualified candidates for entrance, and more students apply than spaces available in schools across the United States. The criteria that U.S. medical schools exercise in making their admission decisions are highly rigorous, including grade point average, future potential in the medical profession, communication skills, bedside manner, leadership skills, and extracurricular activities. As a result, many worthy students are not accepted to the schools of their choice and their dreams are often shattered by this reality. Specifically, in the United States, earning a medical degree is a status symbol that garners much respect and attention from the general public, and the profession is highly regarded as a symbol of position and admiration. Therefore, the competition is fierce and medical training is a very difficult and often exhausting process with significant financial and personal rewards for those who complete and excel in training programs. However, many students that cannot gain acceptance to American medical school programs are not necessarily removed from contention and the opportunity to earn a medical degree. Other options are available in nontraditional settings outside of the United States."
Abstract This paper reviews the Paul Starr book "The Social Transformation of American Medicine". Since its publication in 1982, the book has been widely recognized as the authoritative history of the establishment of professional medical power, its effect on the health care organization and the influence of the medical profession in the political arena. This paper focuses on the fourth chapter of the book, entitled "The Reconstitution of the Hospital", reiterating that historical process from the operating theatres of the Civil War through the HMOs of the 1980s. The paper concludes that although the book is now almost twenty years old, it continues to be the most important resource on its subject.
From the Paper "Chapter four of the first section of the book discusses "The Reconstitution of the Hospital." Prior to the introduction of anesthesia and antisepsis around 1870, medical care could be administered better at home than in the hospital. Physicians made home visits to the wealthy, who were nursed by family or hired help, and early hospitals were private nonprofit institutions for the care of the poor, transients, and affluent people who had no family support. The hospitals were supported by donations."
Tags: doctor, reconsitution, hospital, medical, profession, health, care, HMOs
Abstract This paper discusses the use of drugs in American society. The paper presents two sides of an argument regarding the use of medication for the treatment of psychological ailments, such as depression. The paper argues in favor of the position that the growing medicalization of social ills, ranging from hyperactive children to various forms of soft addiction, cannot simply be addressed by one pill. The paper argues for a more tempered and critical approach to treatments that do not discount alternative therapies.
Table of Contents:
Happiness In A Pill
Better Than Well?
Conclusion
From the Paper "For ethicists such as Elliot and Kass, the market-driven nature of the pharmacological system should be a red flag. This does not mean one should be suspicious of every drug that rolls out, or that drug companies do not contribute significantly to maintaining public health. However, theirs is an argument for a more critical public approach. At the very least, there should be greater public information and public debate regarding the claims behind such drugs, especially for drugs that address non-medical ills, such as Paxil and Prozac."
Abstract The paper reveals that over 7,000 deaths occur a year due to medication errors! The paper discusses unclear medical abbreviations as well as other prescription errors, such as no directions or no strength advised. The paper also discusses the accuracy of e-prescribing but points out that it still represents only a very small amount of prescriptions written each year. The paper then relates that problems arise with abbreviations and acronyms of medical conditions such as the abbreviation CP that can stand for many diseases. The paper asserts that it is disconcerting that the AmericanMedical Association (AMA) is moving so slowly on this issue, considering the amount of deaths that occur.
From the Paper "The whole point of going to a healthcare provider is to get better, not become more ill or even die because someone misread a medication prescription. Unfortunately, that is too often the case. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, over 7,000 deaths occur a year due to medication errors. These errors can happen anywhere in the medication-use system, from prescribing to administering a drug in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and homecare services. As a result, in 2006 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched a nationwide health professional education campaign in order to reduce the number of common but preventable sources of medication mistakes caused by using unclear medical abbreviations."
This paper addresses the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. It examines why it was created and passed, as well as its effects - both positive and negative - on the economy and the workplace.
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 89.95
Abstract This paper addresses the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. It examines why it was created and passed, as well as its effects - both positive and negative - on the economy and the workplace. The Act provides unpaid leave for both parents when a child is born, but many choose not to take this leave because it is unpaid. The paper also addresses shortcomings of the Act and how it could be expanded in the future.
Tags:AMERICAN STUDIES AND HISTORY / ECONOMICS, LABOR, family medical leave
Abstract The author of this paper reviews the various definitions,approaches, legislation issues and the position of the AmericanMedical Association and the ?Death with Dignity Act" about the need to establish the right to physician-assisted suicide. Arguments against physician-assisted suicide are logically refuted.
From the Paper "When we are young, most of us do not think about making a conscious decision to die. We look forward to years of long and healthy life, and if death ever seems appealing, it is as an antidote to depression. It does not often, if ever, occur to us that there will be a time when we look forward to the "good death" promised by euthanasia."
This paper discusses the national provider of ambulance services, AmericanMedical Response: Formation, acquisitions, finances, strategy, management, control, structure, resources and leadership.
3,825 words (approx. 15.3 pages), 7 sources, 1994, $ 135.95
From the Paper "American Medical Response was formed in February 1992 with the strategic objective of becoming the leading national provider of ambulance services. It set out to achieve this position through acquisition, not by establishing new provider organizations. In August 1992, the company went public and acquired four ambulance service providers. The company has continued its acquisition policy since that time, with a total of seven providers having been acquired through September 1993..
The company now provides emergency prehospital medical care and ambulance services to patients in response to 911 emergency medical calls, and provides nonemergency ambulance service to patients during transfer to and from health care facilities and residences. It also provides nonmedical transport services to ... "
This paper is a rhetorical analysis of the 1993 address "Health Care: We Can Make A Difference" about health care and public interest by Hilary Rodham Clinton's to the AmericanMedical Association: Identification, demonization, information, reassuranc
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 3 sources, 1995, $ 63.95
From the Paper "On June 13, 1993, Hilary Rodham Clinton addressed the American Medical Association in Chicago, Illinois; the subject of her speech was "Health Care: We Can Make A Difference." Ms. Clinton was speaking to the AMA in two capacities: as Chairperson in charge of the President's Task Force on Health Care - and as the wife of recently elected President William (Bill) Clinton. During his presidential election campaign less than a year earlier, Bill Clinton had pledged to give health care reform one of his top priorities, subsequently assigning his acknowledged chief advisor, Hilary Clinton, the role of researching and formulating a comprehensive reform package his Administration would then present to Congress. Together with the respected former Wall Street analyst Ira Magaziner, Ms. Clinton formed and headed a 500-member task force ... "
Abstract Historically, physicians have told nurses what to do and what not to do. Currently, legislators have that power. This paper discusses the lengthy legislative process and the dynamics of it. House Bill 935 was originally introduced in 1991 as Article 1 Chapter 21 in the Georgia Senate as Code Section 16-13-21. Representative Sue Burmeister is now sponsoring HB 935 to give new wording and annotation to the bill. The paper shows that the new legislation would allow advanced practice registered nurses to execute a verbal, written or electronic order for a drug, device, medical treatment or diagnostic study. Currently, nurse practitioners can phone in prescriptions in consultation with a physician.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
HB 935 At A Glance
Physicians Versus NP
In Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Most U.S. Citizens believe that physicians have always had the main authority to prescribe medications. However, when researching the background of prescribing drugs it is evident this is not true. Physicians carry a sense of ownership pertaining to prescriptive authority. History is evidence that authority to prescribe has not always solely been the responsibility physician. The market physicians have today on prescribing medications came about without little or no resistance even though others are fully capable of this practice.(Ryser, 1999)."
Abstract This paper is an intellectual and personal reaction to two scholarly articles that address the pernicious effects - and undeniable challenges - of stigmatization brought about by a particular physical ailment or shortcoming. In particular, the paper looks at Gaylene Becker's article, "Coping with Stigma: Lifelong Adaptation of Deaf People" as well as at Marcia C. Inhorn's "Genital Herpes: An Ethnographic Inquiry into Being Discreditable in American Society". In so doing, what should become apparent is that health complications and physical disabilities are almost always made worse by the judgmental and unreceptive attitudes of others. To begin with, this writer is the first to admit that she has always focused upon the physical aspects of health maladies without paying great attention to the social dimensions of disease or illness.
