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PLANNING HEALTH SERVICES—DEMAND OR NEED?
Author(s) -
McEwin Roderick,
Hall Jane
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1976.tb130227.x
Subject(s) - demand management , demand forecasting , on demand , scarcity , business , health care , demand patterns , health services , environmental economics , marketing , risk analysis (engineering) , economics , microeconomics , medicine , economic growth , commerce , population , environmental health , macroeconomics
This paper discusses the currently popular approach to planning health services which is based on demand predictions. From a consideration of the demand concept, the problems of measuring present demand and forecasting future demand, it is concluded that this approach to planning will not provide health care which serves the best interest of patients, or achieves an overall efficient use of scarce resources. The development of an approach which is based on need rather than demand is seen as compatible with providing health services in the best interests of the individual as patient, and the community as tax payers.