United States - Academic medicine: Where are we going?

Abstract

Critical care providers in the United States are frustrated by their participation in the most costly medical delivery system in the world, nonetheless plagued by a dismal return on investment in terms of value. The current pace of increasing cost, without budgetary restraint and without adequate guarantee of quality, is a recipe for economic disaster. However, given proper direction and stewardship, the American medical system is capable of providing high value, cost effective healthcare.