Are improvements in the quality of care incompatible with savings in resources?

This presentation argues that improvements in the quality of care are perfectly compatible with resource saving — but, in order to achieve these desirable aims, doctors' performance must change. An example is cited relating to acute abdominal pain. In a recent multi‐centre study, doctors aided by a small desk‐top computer system appeared both to improve clinical care and save resources. It is argued that quite profound resource savings and improvements in care can be achieved by relatively simple changes in doctors' behaviour. More attention should be paid to this aspect of health care management.