ABSTRACT
The author points out that the medical profession, fiscal intermediaries, and government agencies have not fully informed the public of the nature and extent of peer review. He provides guidelines for physicians and committees of peers participating in peer review and suggests that review of professional ethics be incorporated into the review of the quality, cost, quantity, and availability of medical services.
Subject(s)
Ethical Review , Ethics, Medical , Peer Review/standards , Codes of Ethics , Confidentiality , Delivery of Health Care , Fees, Medical , Humans , Professional-Patient Relations , Quality of Health Care , United StatesABSTRACT
The past 5 years have provided major pressures for and development in the varied areas of peer review of medical services. Organized psychiatry's activities on the national and local levels have been vigorous and responsive. The author traces the development of the mandated, professional and third party payer forms of peer review and the mechanisms and requirements within these programs. The specific programs and projects within the American Psychiatric Association and it's district affilates are also reviewed.
Subject(s)
Peer Review , Professional Review Organizations , Psychiatry/standards , Insurance, Psychiatric , Legislation as Topic , Medicaid , Medicare , Societies, Medical , United StatesABSTRACT
The author provides a summary of developments in peer review and Professional Standards Review Organizations (PSROs) within APA, the federal government, and the American Medical Association between June 1974 and June 1975. He discusses the reaction of the medical profession to the interim guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and the problems of financing PSROs. He concludes that the key issues for PSROs and peer review in general are the availability and effectiveness of local review components, and that lack of involvement on the part of psychiatry will only ensure that nonpsychiatrists will design the review procedures.
