J Med Pract Manage. 1987 Spring; 2(4): 288-96.

Anomalies in Soviet healthcare.

Albrecht GL, Salmon JW.

This paper focuses on recent developments in Soviet healthcare. Since consistent and reliable information on Soviet health practices and outcome measures is difficult to obtain, we use multiple sources, extensive interviews, and personal experience to analyze the current Soviet healthcare system. Where facts are conflicting, we point to anomalies between what observers read, are told, and what they see. Our focus is on the organization of Soviet healthcare, the place of the physician in Soviet society, the pressing set of current health problems, traditional and emergent strengths in the delivery system, contrasts with Western medicine, and the problems and inconsistencies we observed.