Even though the provision of healthcare in the 1970s and 80s might have occurred in a less stressful environment for healthcare professionals,  many of the services provided were not necessarily of benefit to the patients because they were not always based on research validated principles.  As an example, the normative in the 70s and 80s for treating patients with low back pain was to offer moist heat, ultrasound, and massage for months and months.  Symptom reduction occurred during each treatment session, but long-term outcomes were frequently not met.  Yet, Medicare continued to reimburse for each treatment under a fee-for-service system.  Under DRG reimbursement and other fixed-payment options, it is important to place emphasis on providing treatments that are evidence-based. Evidence-based practices also tend to reduce medical errors, as the standard of care provided must be proven through researched methods to produce effective and consistent outcomes of benefit to each patient.

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