Rationing can be defined as the available allocation of resources by the government so that there is equal distribution of resources within the population. It is adapted so that a country can have price controls and conserve the available scarce resources. There are different methods of rationing which include rationing to benefit a person, an organization, a ministry or a community (Jones, 2004).
In this paper, I am going to deal with rationing in healthcare. As discussed by Doyal (1992) rationing in healthcare is mainly concerned with assigning and giving priorities of healthcare resources. When distributing resources in healthcare, a number of factors should be considered which are: meeting the needs of the population according to their numbers and their distribution; allocating resources according to the needs of the people; giving out resources effectively even if are scarce; giving out healthcare resources irrespective of the lifestyle of the people; and making healthcare accessible to all irrespective of their moral behaviors (Doyal, 1992).
While the intention of rationing is meant to give healthcare to all people, its effects are not consistent because it seems to benefit more those people who have new resources. According to Jones (2004), the basis of ethics of rationing in healthcare is entirely on the call for the people and the goodwill of the government to support those people who cannot access healthcare. Presently, the population of people above the age of 65 years stands at approximately 12% of the world’s population.
In addition, the population of the aged people is growing at a very fast rate. Therefore, as the number of elderly people increases, there is a need for diversity in healthcare so that the needs of the elderly and other disadvantaged people in society are met (Jones, 2004).
Several groups analyzed healthcare rationing and proposed that ethical principles should not be neglected when determining allocations. The basis upon which rationing is determined is based on the current needs of the people and can be restrained by moral constraints of that time. Issues on methods of application of rationing have been raised by both professionals and moral practitioners. In their concerns, views were collected from groups of their experiences and understanding of rationing problems.
They reported that the economic status of the people; the relationship of patients and doctors; and organizational practices determined the influence of rationing. Societal factors had an influence on decision-making as well as psychological factors. However, in some cases where rationing is not open and there is no clear communication as to why healthcare is not provided, it would be considered unethical and the relationship between the stakeholders would be affected (Bloor, 2001).
Liberalists believe that matters of healthcare are not affected unless the illness is wholly or partially part of an individual’s behavior; it does not threaten the life of an individual; it does not limit the rights of an individual; and that the cost of treatment is low compared to the income of the patients. It is of importance to assign people responsibilities in rationing healthcare resources. Even if the roles are restricted they should have some implications in the overall implementation of rationing. Rationing is important because it puts into consideration factors that might have been left by traditionalists in healthcare. It can also help in the formulation of policies that are affordable and offer a wide range of alternatives (Doyal, 1992).
Reference List
Bloor, M.(2001). Focus groups in social research. London: Sage.
Doyal, L.(1992). Need for moral audit in evaluating quality in health care. London: London University Press.
Jones, R.(2004). A qualitative study of decision making in primary care. New York: Bradshaw.