Nemetz P N, Ludwig J, Kurland L T
Am J Pathol. 1987 Aug;128(2):362-79.
This study outlines the role of autopsies in medical practice and health policy, details the nature and reason for declining rates, including those in Rochester, Minnesota, and suggests possible remedial measures to halt or reverse this trend. It is concluded that one of the principal impediments to reversing the declining rate of autopsies is what is referred to in Economics as "market failure." In particular, the nature of the spatial and temporal distribution of costs and benefits has precluded the existence of an incentive structure which can lead to a realization of the major net social benefits from the autopsy. Ultimately, it is only the explicit recognition by the medical profession, government agencies, corporate insurers, and the general public of the nature and significance of this market failure and foregone benefits which can lead to remediation.
本研究概述了尸检在医学实践和卫生政策中的作用，详述了尸检率下降的性质和原因，包括明尼苏达州罗切斯特市的情况，并提出了可能的补救措施以阻止或扭转这一趋势。研究得出结论，扭转尸检率下降趋势的主要障碍之一是经济学中所称的“市场失灵”。特别是，成本和收益在空间和时间上的分布性质使得无法存在一种激励结构，从而无法实现尸检带来的主要社会净收益。最终，只有医学专业人士、政府机构、企业保险公司和普通公众明确认识到这种市场失灵的性质和重要性以及被放弃的收益，才有可能实现补救。
