Solving an age-old problem

• Autores: Linda Geddes
• Localización: New scientist, ISSN 0262-4079, Nº. 2930, 2013, págs. 8-9
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Accident and emergency (A&E) departments feel like "war zones", so say a large number of senior doctors in the UK, according to Cliff Mann of the College of Emergency Medicine in London. Then last week, waiting times hit the headlines too, prompting the government to announce a £500-million "bailout" for A&E units. Last winter the proportion of people waiting longer than 4 hours to be seen hit its highest level since 2003. Healthcare is of course a complex issue, and the reasons for the crisis are manifold. But there are ways that science could help. Recent research shows that a simple change in the way medical services are provided could improve the experience for everyone, and even cost less overall. The idea could be applied in other countries too.