Policy makers have a responsibility to ensure that public policy addresses the needs for health care of all members of our community. These should be addressed as matters of sound public policy. Also, there are legitimate questions regarding quality of and access to systems of care being put into place by managed care plans. It will be up to our policy makers to keep abreast of these issues and implement appropriate policies to address them. However we, as physicians, have a key role in making sure the outcome is best for our patients.
Individual patients have perhaps the greatest responsibility of all.
Much of the advance in cancer prevention and early detection depends on patient behavior. Smoking, diet, excess alcohol, and other environmental carcinogens are clearly important factors in cancer mortality reduction. Early detection relies on motivated patients following through with recommended scheduled screening programs. Again, we as physicians are key to keeping patients informed and motivated. March 13, 1998.