FROM THE FOUNDATION

End-of-Life Choices

Trends in end-of-life care show that not only does the care given vary widely from region to region and hospital to hospital, but also patients often don't get the care they prefer. What can be done?

Care Management Puzzle

Chronic diseases and the cost of care are rising. Are disease management programs improving outcomes for patients with complex, chronic conditions?

No Middleman

Under the "direct primary care" model, patients pay a monthly fee for basic medical services. Learn about the history and current landscape of physician practices offering this arrangement.

Health Care Costs

Friday, September 14, 2012

Study Finds Link Between Office Hours, Health Spending

Over the course of two years, patients whose doctors offered weekend and evening hours spent 10% less on health care than people whose physicians held only weekday hours, according to a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine. Researchers surveyed more than 30,700 U.S. residents and found that 36% said their doctor offered extended office hours. According to researchers, the longer hours did not necessarily cause lower spending and instead might be an indicator of a "more cost-conscious practice overall."



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