Comparing physician-specific two-year patient outcomes after coronary angiography: methodologic issues and results.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate methodologies to compare physician-related long-term patient outcomes appropriately.

Background: Evaluation of physicians on the basis of short-term patient outcome is becoming widely practiced. These analyses fail to consider the importance of long-term outcome, and methods appropriate to such an analysis are poorly defined.

Cost of cardiac care in the three years after coronary catheterization in a contained care system: critical determinants and implications.

Objectives: We sought to determine the clinical, angiographic, treatment and outcome correlates of the intermediate-term cost of caring for patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background: To adequately predict medical costs and to compare different treatment and cost reduction strategies, the determinants of cost must be understood. However, little is known about the correlates of costs of treatment of CAD in heterogeneous patient populations that typify clinical practice.