Small firm adaptation: responses of physicians' organizations to regulatory and competitive uncertainty

This study addressed the pattern of small organizations' adaptation responses to uncertainty in the regulatory and competitive sectors of their environment using data from physicians in solo practice. An existing general model of adaptation was modified to reflect small-firm work processes. The result is a four-cell model that distinguishes adaptive strategies in terms of their functional orientations and how firms pursue them--whether alone or in collaboration with other firms. Data analyses supported the propositions that adaptation in small firms is a multicomponent construct and that regulatory and competitive uncertainty differentially influence the adaptation process. Although individual relationships found among the sets of adaptation activities supported the contention that adaptation choices follow a hierarchical cost pattern, the overall fit of the model suggests modification of the theory in subsequent research efforts.

Medical staff antitrust decisions examine defenses available to defendants

The 1990 decisions reported on below concern defenses established by both legislation and judicial precedent. To the extent defenses preclude the need for a trial on the merits, the saving in time, effort and expense for the defendants can be considerable.

Information on tar and nicotine yields on cigarette packages

We examined information on tar and nicotine yields on the packages of 160 cigarette brands, 58 percent of the 275 brands for which tar and nicotine yields were listed in a recent Federal Trade Commission report. The tar yield was indicated on 14 percent, the nicotine yield was indicated on 11 percent. As tar yield increased among brands, the yield was progressively less likely to be shown on the package and was not disclosed on the package of any cigarette yielding 11 mg or more of tar.

'Puffing' in medical advertising expands liability

Advertising is nothing new to the medical profession, although for many years reputable doctors did not advertise their skills. In 1975, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) successfully argued in a case that was appealed to the Supreme Court that the AMA had unlawfully restricted medical advertising. While the FTC usurped the job of policing medical advertising, it seems to regard medical adverstising as a local problem not worthy of FTC attention. It has avoided setting standards for medical advertising and has failed to initiate significant enforcement against deceptive medical advertising. This article briefly reviews the historical role of advertising in modern American medicine and discusses advertising in relation to risk management.

Making the relationship work. Management of a hospital-based home health agency and hospital for-profit home health aide service

In 1984, Overlook Hospital added a for-profit home health agency to its already established hospital-based home health agency. While the rationale for the development of two distinct organizations was sound, there were special legal, financial, and quality assurance issues and problems to consider.