The UCSD Medical School has hired a director of outcomes research. David Chang will examine which health care treatments show the best results.
Most health experts agree the legislation passed by Congress this year was not health care reform, it was health insurance reform. That means problems like medical errors and exorbitant costs have yet to be addressed.
But Dr. Chang wants to take on those issues. He says he'll work with all departments in the medical school to learn what systems lead to the best medical outcomes. He said one reason U.S. health care is so expensive is doctors don't often know what works best, and money is wasted on ineffective treatments.
"A true health care reform will come when we actually do know what actually gives patients better outcomes over time," said Chang.
He adds that the ultimate goal is to create organized health care systems that treat patients in proven, consistent ways. He said San Diego has achieved this in one medical area: Its renowned system of trauma care.
