Harare doctors support the need for training in basic business and economics principles in medical school: A pilot study

Abstract

The world is becoming more and more capitalist. This change is affecting all health disciplines including general practice. Lomas reported that economic factors also contribute to a change in doctors' behaviour.' This recognition has resulted in the growth of health economics as a discipline of study. Worldwide, the achievement of an effective evidence based health care system has resulted in the incorporation of health and medical economics in medical education.2 Medical doctors' roles have diversified over the years, and they are increasingly becoming a hybrid of a health care professional and a businessman. More and more medical doctors arc starting their own private practices. Medical doctors arc borrowing from other fields such as economics and business administration in order to cope and survive in the competition; e business environment. It is increasingly becoming critical and indispensable, for medical doctors to understand their expenditure patterns, how to run efficiently and generate revenue greater than expenses (profit), how to price their products and services and how to define their niche in the community