Required reading. Period.
First saw this way back in a public library. (Back when people went to such places to read. Quaint.) Didn't think I would find a copy on Amazon, but here we are.
Mendelsohn diagnoses the systemic problem in Western medicine. His climax comes early, at the beginning of Chapter 3, and from there he fleshes out his thesis, unyieldingly and mercilessly.
Ultimately, his best advice is to fight fire with fire. For every doctor that might prescribe some treatment, or intervention, find another one whose incentives line up differently, to consider whether that course is really necessary.
(Personally, I found that this book was much enhanced by a good understanding of Freakonomics. But one great flaw of economic, or Freakonomic, analysis, is that it doesn't take into account human emotion, illogic, or ego. Same for occasional virtue, or superego. This observation applies directly to several of the examples in Dubner and Levitt's work.)
But Mendelsohn grasps all this masterfully. He understands not only your doctor's financial motivations, but also his emotional, sociological, psychological pressures; in many cases, probably better than does the average doctor himself. Remember, Mendelsohn is speaking from the inside. He's been there.
Verdict: Not to be missed. Recommended for physicians who do not fear an honest look in the mirror, especially.
- Amazon Business: Make the most of your Amazon Business account with exclusive tools and savings. Login now
- Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account
