The Fund supports networks of state health policy decision makers to help identify, inspire, and inform policy leaders.
The Milbank Memorial Fund supports two state leadership programs for legislative and executive branch state government officials committed to improving population health.
The Fund identifies and shares policy ideas and analysis to advance state health leadership, strong primary care, and sustainable health care costs.
Keep up with news and updates from the Milbank Memorial Fund. And read the latest blogs from our thought leaders, including Fund President Christopher F. Koller.
The Fund publishes The Milbank Quarterly, as well as reports, issues briefs, and case studies on topics important to health policy leaders.
The Milbank Memorial Fund is is a foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
June 1989 (Volume 67)
Quarterly Article
Stephen B. Soumerai
Thomas J. McLaughlin
Jerry Avorn
Nov 5, 2024
Oct 30, 2024
Oct 23, 2024
Back to The Milbank Quarterly
Seven percent of all health expenditures in the United States in 1987 was allocated for medications. Accurate prescribing decisions thus have crucial implications for both economic and clinical aspects of health care. A review of 44 empirical studies indicates that different strategies to improve the prescription practices of primary care physicians have proved effective to varying degrees; administrative reminders and feedback systems appear to be suitable for group practices, while one-on-one educational interventions may work well in less-structured office settings. Better-controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs, together with cost-benefit analyses, are still needed to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of prescribing practices.
Author(s): Stephen B. Soumerai; Thomas J. McLaughlin; Jerry Avorn
Download the Article
Read on JSTOR
Volume 67, Issue 2 (pages 268–317) Published in 1989
