Good But Not Perfect: A Case Study of Managed Care [Paperback]

Maxine W. Epstein (Author), Patti Aldredge (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321024672 | ISBN-13: 978-0321024671 | Publication Date: October 17, 1999 | Edition: 1

Written in an intriguing narrative format, this book demonstrates the skills necessary for effective social work practice in managed care settings. Centered around the case study of a professional ballet dancer who is admitted to a rehabilitation unit following a cerebral stroke, Good But Not Perfect follows the struggles of the patient and her health care team as they confront changes in the health care delivery system. This story-line approach engages the interest of the reader as it demonstrates the application of theories and the real-life impact of the managed care model. At the end of each chapter, the story is analyzed using conceptual knowledge, and critical thinking is encouraged in practice exercises. Throughout the book, readers are guided through the processes of effective patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, discharge, and rehabilitation. They will learn the issues surrounding managed care and will be provided with the skills necessary to function as part of an interdisciplinary health care team. For anyone interested in social work or managed health care.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Written in an intriguing narrative format, this book demonstrates the skills necessary for effective social work practice in managed care settings. Centered around the case study of a professional ballet dancer who is admitted to a rehabilitation unit following a cerebral stroke, Good But Not Perfect follows the struggles of the patient and her health care team as they confront changes in the health care delivery system. This story-line approach engages the interest of the reader as it demonstrates the application of theories and the real-life impact of the managed care model.

At the end of each chapter, the story is analyzed using conceptual knowledge, and critical thinking is encouraged in practice exercises. Throughout the book, readers are guided through the processes of effective patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, discharge, and rehabilitation. They will learn the issues surrounding managed care and will be provided with the skills necessary to function as part of an interdisciplinary health care team.

For anyone interested in social work or managed health care.

Product Details

• Paperback: 202 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 1 edition (October 17, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321024672
• ISBN-13: 978-0321024671
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,597,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Dilemmas of managed care -an entertaining read!, June 19, 2001

By 

Barbara M. Henley (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good But Not Perfect: A Case Study of Managed Care (Paperback)

Listen folks, if you are a social worker, physician, pharmacist or physical therapist or nurse in hospitial practice, or if you teach one of the health professions, this is a must-read. Although written by health care social workers, the material is relevant to anyone in interdisciplinary (or multidisciplinary) health care pactice. The authors present the experience of a "case", an appealing person whose traumatic accident interrups her career and her marriage. Parallel to this tale, is the saga of the health care team working with her. The reactions of the team to the crises of transitioning to managed care are similar to those of the patient. (Teams experience denial, anger, bargaining, and resistance on their way to adaptation, just like individuals.) It's clever and it has the ring of real life. Although much of the material is written like a novel, the purpose of the book is to instruct; introductory and closing chapters are serious discussions of the history and dilemmas of managed care, with upbeat prescriptions for the future; each chapter includes analysis of the material, questions for discussion, and exercises to bring home the teaching points. I am a faculty person in a graduate school of social work, and our students love it. I read it just for the pleasure of its literary craft and for its insight and information.