Abstract

SEGURA, Omar. Social epidemiology and political economy: ICU as point of convergence. Iatreia [online]. 2016, vol.29, n.4, pp.470-477. ISSN 0121-0793.  https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.iatreia.v29n4a08.

Questions around epidemiology, economics and critical care are often in the mind of almost any healthcare professional. However, it is seldom realized that epidemiology and economy may converge -in spite of being apparently separated fields of study- in order to explain the present situation or future trends of a hospital or public health service. This essay briefly depicts how social epidemiology and political economy have developed and how both academic activities may find a common ground about the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), particularly to pose questions, to create possible research lines and feasible alternatives towards more efficient, effective and humane health services.

Keywords : Health Services Epidemiology; Health Economics; Intensive Care Unit; Public Health.

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