ABSTRACT
A discussion of productivity in health care must take at least two tacks: examination of the system and the consumer. Decreased costs to the consumer in terms of tax reduction or lower insurance premiums for payment of health care may result in poorer care. Hospital administrators refer to efficiency in terms of better cleaning procedures or better collection of debts. The physician clearly bears a considerable responsibility for cost containment and improvement in productivity. The trustees of a hospital are a major factor in increasing the costs of health care and lowering productivity. The patient also increases the costs of the system in cooperation with the lawyer. Malpractice insurance is high and likely to go higher and each suit increases the costs to the general public. Technology has always been a part of medical care. The legislative bodies have not always handled the technological problems in the best way.
