Dear Readers,

The Roundtable Journal on Health Policy (RJHP) is a multi-disciplinary collection of works that focuses on discussing issues in politics, society, and healthcare. The scope of the Journal is broad as it aims to capture the diverse landscape in which healthcare professionals, policymakers, and patients exist. We are living in compelling times, as healthcare continues to be at the forefront of political discourse. The care and wellbeing of patients, now more than ever, depends on the shifting tides of societal attitudes and governmental policy. This is why, now more than ever, there is a need for discussions regarding these issues.

Continue reading “Letter from the Founders”

Dear Readers of the Roundtable Journal on Health Policy,

From the earliest days of our country’s history, when five physicians led by Benjamin Rush signed the Declaration of Independence and served heroically in the Revolutionary war, physicians have helped to create what many describe as the greatest country in the world with superb medical care being one of its proudest achievements. People come from far and near to benefit from its skill and to learn from its progress.

Continue reading “Introductory Letter from Joseph T. English, MD”

Toluwalashe F. Davies

Abstract

For many, the role of the physician is primarily to cater to patients’ health by providing care and prescribing beneficial therapy with the objective of improving the quality of life of the patient. Although this is true, the duty of a physician is more diverse than that. The physician also has a responsibility to contribute to the prevention and control of disease. The role of a physician is therefore not restricted to the patient-care setting alone, but is deep-rooted in the community. In order to adequately control the spread of a disease and ultimately eradicate the disease, it is important to first understand the nature of the disease and what perpetuates it. One of the major diseases causing the demise of many American youths is violence. Youth violence is highly prevalent in many inner city communities around the country and should rightfully be deemed a public health crisis. As health care professionals, physicians have an obligation to become more involved in public health matters that affect the quality of life of the American youth population.

Download PDF

Roundtable Journal on Health Policy  |  Volume 1  |  Issue 1

Continue reading “Youth Violence: A Public Health Perspective”

Suraj Parikh, Mithi Hossain, Nisha Kumar

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the lack of federal funding toward gun violence-related research in the United States. Gun violence is a major cause of injury and death in our country, and should be studied, as with any public health concern. Unfortunately, its politicization has reduced federal funding toward its research to nearly zero. In our paper, we outline some of the social, health, and financial impacts of gun violence, and discuss the value in researching this epidemic. In doing so, we hope to encourage our generation of doctors to recognize gun violence as a public health issue that needs healthcare involvement. In addition, we call for research that could prevent many individuals from hospitalizations related to gun violence.

Download PDF

Roundtable Journal on Health Policy  |  Volume 1  |  Issue 1

Continue reading “In Opposition to the Ban on Gun Violence Research Funding”

Anurag Saraf

Abstract
Hospital consolidations have become rampant since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, with untold implications for patients and future physicians. These mergers have been increased in a changing healthcare environment that encourages better coordination of patient care and better access to advanced technologies while reducing administrative costs and moving towards fee-for-performance payment models. However, there has been a trend to consolidating market power with profits not necessarily being seen by the patient; studies have found an increase in healthcare spending with no change in healthcare utilization. Future physicians will find less negotiating power, lower reimbursement, and greater scrutiny with less authority. Proper regulatory forces are needed to curtail the negative behaviors hospital consolidations have been trending towards in the future.

Download PDF

Roundtable Journal on Health Policy  |  Volume 1  |  Issue 1

Continue reading “The Rampant Trend of Hospital Consolidations and its Impact on Patients and Future Physicians”