Cost-benefit issues in the practice of internal medicine.

The rapidly escalating costs of medical treatment would suggest that everything be done to limit expenses when it can be done without jeopardizing patient care. Unfortunately, cost consciousness is a relatively new concept for most physicians and even today is not emphasized in most medical education programs. Over the past five years numerous articles have been published indicating ways in which specific cost-effective measures can be taken that can positively influence the cost of routine medical care. This article details a number of well-documented steps practicing physicians might consider to decrease the cost of medical treatment without compromising patient care.