Are gatekeepers necessary?

Abstract

Primary care physicians, acting as gatekeepers, are being used in an attempt to better control rising healthcare costs. However, the success of gatekeepers is difficult to measure because of the lack of data. The purpose of this article is to outline the function of gatekeepers, address the complications in measuring the benefits, and propose methods for further studies. In addition, we hope to foster a sense of responsibility and emphasize the importance of sharing data among organizations involved in the delivery of healthcare.