Key Factors that Promote Low-Value Care: Views of Experts From the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of IQ Healthcare, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

2 Institute for Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

3 University of California Health, Sacramento, CA, USA

Abstract

Background 
Around the world, policies and interventions are used to encourage clinicians to reduce low- value care. In order to facilitate this, we need a better understanding of the factors that lead to low-value care. We aimed to identify the key factors affecting low-value care on a national level. In addition, we highlight differences and similarities in three countries.
 
Methods 
We performed 18 semi-structured interviews with experts on low-value care from three countries that are actively reducing low-value care: the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands. We interviewed 5 experts from Canada, 6 from the United States, and 7 from the Netherlands. Eight were organizational leaders or policy-makers, 6 as low-value care researchers or project leaders, and 4 were both. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
 
Results 
The key factors that promote low-value care are the payment system, the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, fear of malpractice litigation, biased evidence and knowledge, medical education, and a ‘more is better’ culture. These factors are seen as the most important in the United States, Canada and the Netherlands, although there are several differences between these countries in their payment structure, and industry and malpractice policy.

Conclusions 
Policy-makers and researchers that aim to reduce low-value care have experienced that clinicians face a mix of interdependent factors regarding the healthcare system and culture that lead them to provide low-value care. Better awareness and understanding of these factors can help policy-makers to facilitate clinicians and medical centers to deliver high-value care.

Highlights

 

Commentaries Published on this Paper

 

  • Context, Culture, and the Complexity of De-Implementing Low-Value Care; Comment on “Key Factors that Promote Low-Value Care: Views of Experts From the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands”

         Abstract | PDF

 

  • Overview of the Drivers of Low-Value Care; Comment on “Key Factors that Promote Low-Value Care: Views of Experts From the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands”

         Abstract | PDF

 

  • Reducing Low-Value Care: Uncertainty as Crucial Cross-Cutting Theme; Comment on “Key Factors That Promote Low-Value Care: Views of Experts From the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands”

         Abstract | PDF

 

  • Tools to Reduce Low-Value Care: Lessons From COVID-19 Pandemic; Comment on “Key Factors that Promote Low-Value Care: Views of Experts From the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands”

         Abstract | PDF

 

  • Beyond Microsystem Fixes: Targeting National Drivers of Low-Value Care; Comment on “Key Factors that Promote Low-Value Care: Views of Experts From the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands”

         Abstract | PDF

 

  • Low-Value Care: Convergence and Challenges; Comment on “Key Factors That Promote Low-Value Care: Views From Experts From the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands”

         Abstract | PDF

 

Authors' Response to the Commentaries

 

  •  Challenges and Opportunities for Reducing Low-Value Care; A Response to Recent Commentaries

         Abstract | PDF

 

Keywords

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International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Volume 11, Issue 8
August 2022
Pages 1514-1521

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 July 2020
  • Revise Date: 27 April 2021
  • Accept Date: 30 April 2021
  • First Publish Date: 19 June 2021

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