Preliminary observations: Issues involved in dealing with 'deviant' doctors

Both in Australia and the United States considerable public attention has been given recently to allegations of fraud and overservicing by doctors. Indeed, in Australia a special concept "medifraud" has become part of the language of public discourse and media speculation about its alleged incidence and the subsequent economic effects are commonplace. A content analysis of British Columbia newspapers suggests that, in comparison with Australian media, the issue here is, at least publicly, of minor interest. Overseas trends and economic pressures to reduce health costs however, indicate that the topic will receive increased public and political pressure in the future.