The role of physician education in cost containment.

As the cost of health care in the United States has increased to consume an ever greater portion of the gross national product, various strategies for cost containment have been advanced. Too little attention has been paid to the education of physicians for more responsible use of expensive resources. Current data on the role of physician knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in cost containment are reviewed; several intervention strategies are presented; and recommendations are proposed for increasing the sensitivity of physicians to the financial implications of their clinical decisions.