Tracking Medicine: A Researcher's Quest to Understand Health Care [Hardcover]

Written by a groundbreaking figure of modern medical study, Tracking Medicine is an eye-opening introduction to the science of health care delivery, as well as a powerful argument for its relevance in shaping the future of our country. An indispensable resource for those involved in public health and health policy, this book is also a useful tool for anyone interested in understanding and forming their own opinion on the current debate.Written by a groundbreaking figure of modern medical study,Tracking Medicineis an eye-opening introduction to the science of health care delivery, as well as a powerful argument for its relevance in shaping the future of our country. An indispensable resource for those involved in public health and health policy, this book uses Dr. Wennberg's pioneering research to provide a framework for understanding the health care crisis; and outlines a roadmap for real change in the future. It is also a useful tool for anyone interested in understanding and forming their own opinion on the current debate.PART I.THE PROBLEM OF UNWARRANTED VARIATION IN HEALTH CARE1. In Health Care, Geography is Destiny2. The Vermont ExperiencePART II. SURGICAL VARIATION: UNDERSTANDING PREFERENCE-SENSITIVE CARE3. Tonsillectomy and Medical Opinion4. Interpreting the Pattern of Surgical Variation5. Understanding the Market for Preference-Sensitive Surgery6. Learning What Works and What Patients Want7. The Birth and Near Death of Comparative Effectiveness ResearchPART III. MEDICAL VARIATION: UNDERSTANDING SUPPLY SENSITIVE CARE AND OVERUSE8. Understanding Supply-Sensitive Care9. Chronic Illness and Practice Variation10. Is More Better?11. Are America's Best Hospitals Really the Best?12. Ten Top Reasons Why We Need Reform the Way We Manage Chronic IllnessPART IV. REFORMING HEALTH CARE13. Promoting Organized Care and Reducing Overuse14. Establishing Informed Patient Choice as a Standard of Care15. Six Ways to Control Cost, Accelerate Reform and Save the Economyl3