The authors of this Sounding Board article discuss how the new approach to assessment of biomedical technologies that incorporates considerations of effectiveness, patient preferences, and costs, differs from the old ...

The state of Oregon has developed a unique method to set priorities for health services. The method is based on a cost-utility formula but also incorporates public attitudes and values. Using an explicit process, the Oregon ...

Medical practitioners often feel obligated to use all available procedures to sustain patients' lives. A review of case law indicates, however, that practitioners who abate treatment that is contrary to people's known ...

The authors propose a mathematical model for deciding appropriate use of life-sustaining care, using as an example out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation for chronically ill older persons. Incorporating determinations of ...