Understanding Health Policy, Fifth Edition (LANGE Clinical Medicine) [Paperback]

Thomas Bodenheimer (Author), Kevin Grumbach (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071496068 | ISBN-13: 978-0071496063 | Publication Date: August 18, 2008 | Edition: 5

An engaging and clinically applicable work on the principles and structure of the U.S. healthcare system

A Doody's Core Title for 2011!

"Eminently readable...Anyone wanting to gain insight into the forces that shaping health policy and the future of health care will appreciate this book."--Critical Care Nurse Magazine

Understanding Health Policy is the best-written, most informative book available on the subject--and it's the #1 choice for healthcare students and professionals alike. The authors carefully weave key principles, descriptions, and concrete examples into chapters that make important health policy issues both interesting and understandable.

Fully updated to reflect current issues in the ever-changing world of healthcare, the newest edition addresses all the topics that affect you most, from the structure and organization of the industry to issues regarding government and private insurance, to access to healthcare.

Everything you need to understand how the healthcare system works - and your role in it:

• Clinical vignettes in every chapter illustrate key points
• Detailed treatment of both U.S. and international issues
• A complete chapter of review questions
• NEW Expanded coverage of healthcare workers other than physicians
• NEW Closer scrutiny of the pharmaceutical industry
• NEW Brand-new chapter on the medical education system

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Key Benefit: This concise well-written book is recognized nationwide as the leading text to understanding how the U.S. health care system works. With the current trend towards managed care, this book provides vital information to health care professionals. Key Topics: Numerous case examples illustrate fundamental topics such as cost containment, health insurance, primary care, and physician and hospital payment. In addition, this book does a superior job linking policy issues to the practice of medicine. The second edition features a brand new chapter on payment in managed care. Market: Physicians (especially primary care physicians), public health professionals, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Thomas S. Bodenheimer, MD, is Adjunct Professor, Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco.

Kevin Grumbach, MD, is Professor and Chair, Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Medical; 5 edition (August 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071496068
• ISBN-13: 978-0071496063
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Medical Books > Nursing > Home & Community Health
  • #3 in Books > Medical Books > Administration & Medicine Economics > Health Policy
  • #7 in Books > Medical Books > Administration & Medicine Economics > Health Care Delivery

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Difficult to find a better overview for students, November 13, 2001

By 

Joan Bantz (Anchorage , AK United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Health Policy: A Clinical Approach (Paperback)

I used this book in undergraduate health policy programs and in one health care administration graduate elective. The majority of students found it to be a useful introduction to the difficult area of health policy. By incorporating pertinent examples and graphs students found the text more understandable and useful than say other required readings like Paul Starr's classic. Whatever their level of understanding coming into class, students were able to glean valuable information and insight.

My reservation is similar to many books, e.g., by the time of publication much has changed. However, there is relevant material and with supplements this will remain a valuable resource.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Health Policy, January 9, 2007

By 

bhean (CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Understanding Health Policy (Paperback)

This book is a great basic review of how health care is delivered. The format and information is most useful for people who are going into medicine. There isn't really anything about the politics behind health care policy; instead the book focuses on defining key terms and outlining the structure of relationships between payers, receivers, and providers. The book also covers the differences between different types of insurance policies, as well as different national health plans of countries with more socialized medicine.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Know Knowledge For MD's To Be, July 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Understanding Health Policy (Paperback)

This book was a requirment for my medical school curriculum. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I've never read any other books on health policy, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I thought it was an excellent books. It is very well written, very easy to understand and extremely informative. I believe anyone interested in health care, medicine, etc. should obtain the knowledge in this book and what better source than "Understanding Health Policy".