Public versus Private Care in the Military Health System: Evidence From Low Back Pain Patients

CONCLUSION: This study found that privately provided care was associated with significantly higher opioid prescribing, less use of benzodiazepines and physical therapy, and lower costs. No systematic differences in outcomes (as measured by resolved cases) were identified. The findings suggest that publicly funded health care within the MHS context can attain quality comparable to privately provided care, although differences in treatment choices and costs point to possibilities for improved care within both systems.PMID:38491995 | DOI:10.1093/milmed/usae074
Source: Military Medicine - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: research