Ovretveit J, Gustafson D. Using research to inform quality programmes. British Medical Journal. 2003;326:759-761.

Though quality programmes are consuming more and more resources, little is known as to whether these programmes are effective or what is needed to implement them successfully.  This article describes the results of past research on quality programmes and highlights how better information can be gathered. 

Full Text Available! Click View Article below.

Smits HL, Zarowitz B, Sahney VK, Savitz L. The business case for pharmaceutical management: A case study. The Commonwealth Fund. March 2003.

Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan, USA, explored two innovations in pharmacy management. The first innovation, use of low molecular weight heparin to treat deep vein thrombosis, reduced hospitalizations, shortened lengths of stay, and lowered overall costs by $800 per patient. The second innovation, creation of a lipid clinic to maximize the benefit of new cholesterol-lowering drugs, proved very effective in helping patients achieve the desired level of blood lipids, but potential financial savings are likely not to be recognized directly by the health system. (Part of a series of cases studies supported by The Commonwealth Fund and published in the journal, "Health Affairs.")

Full Text Available! Click View Article below.

March A. The business case for tobacco cessation programs: A case study. The Commonwealth Fund. March 2003.

In 1992 Group Health Cooperative, an integrated health system and health plan in Seattle, Washington, USA, made tobacco cessation a top priority of its preventive care program. The health benefits of such a program that helps smokers quit are obvious, but calculating the cost benefit of smoking cessation programs is a murky undertaking. (Part of a series of case studies supported by The Commonwealth Fund and published in the journal, "Health Affairs.")

Full Text Available! Click View Article below.

Christianson JB, Warrick LH. The business case for drop-in group medical appointments: A case study. The Commonwealth Fund. March 2003.

Group medical appointments can increase access to physicians, improve patient satisfaction, and increase physician productivity. But in the experience of one Wisconsin, USA, health system that experimented with Drop-in Group Medical Appointments, the model is unprofitable and unpopular with most patients. (Part of a series of case studies supported by The Commonwealth Fund and published in the journal, "Health Affairs.")

Full Text Available! Click View Article below.

Beaulieu ND, Cutler DM, Ho KE, Horrigan D, Isham G. The business case for diabetes disease management at two managed care organizations: A case study. The Commonwealth Fund. March 2003.

Analysis of two health plans with established diabetes programs shows that the business case for diabetes disease management is weak. The initial costs for such programs are substantial, and plans may not be able to reap the potential savings until 10 years after a health plan member is enrolled in the program. (Part of a series of case studies supported by The Commonwealth Fund and published in the journal, "Health Affairs.")

Full Text Available! Click View Article below.

McGlynn EA, McDonald T, Champagne L, Bradley B, Walker W. The business case for a corporate wellness program: A case study. The Commonwealth Fund. March 2003.

Working together, General Motors and United Autoworkers launched a corporate wellness program in April 1996 — LifeSteps — to hold down rising health care costs by improving the health status of its workers and their dependents. There is some evidence that the LifeSteps program has succeeded in slowing the rate of increase in health care costs. (Part of a series of case studies supported by The Commonwealth Fund and published in the journal, "Health Affairs.")

Full Text Available! Click View Article below.

American College of Physicians. The changing face of ambulatory medicine: Reimbursing physicians for computer-based care. Philadelphia; 2003: Policy Paper.

American College of Physicians analysis and recommendations to assure fair reimbursement for physician care rendered online.

Full Text Available! Click View Article below.

Berwick DM. Disseminating innovations in health care. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003;289(15):1969-1975.

This article examines the reasons why innovations are disseminated so slowly in health care, and provides some recommendations for health care leaders who want to accelerate that rate of diffusion within their organizations.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Publications Catalog. Updated periodically on AHRQ's website.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) funds research on key health care delivery and medical effectiveness issues. The publications in this catalog describe AHRQ programs, present research findings, and assessments of health care technologies.

Silversin J, Kornacki, MJ
Tampa, Florida, USA: American College of Physician Executives; 2000

This book describes the implementation of a model that organizations can use to gain physician support for major organizational changes.  The book also includes tools for the model and examples how the model has been implemented successfully.