Essentials of the U.S. Health Care System, 2nd Edition

ISBN: 9780763763800
ISBN-10: 0763763802
Copyright: 2010
Edition: 2nd
Authors: Shi, Leiyu, Singh, Douglas A.,
Doody's Expert Review    Score: 82
Reviewer: Carole Kenner,  PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP, ANEF  (The College of New Jersey)
Description
This abbreviated version of the authors' standardized text on healthcare delivery in the U.S. (Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach, 4th edition (Jones and Bartlett, 2008)) covers the basics of the U.S. system to outcomes and health policy implications.
Purpose
The purpose is to provide a basic understanding of the U.S. healthcare delivery system.
Audience
The audience is junior college students taking a basic course in U.S. healthcare and other undergraduate or graduate students who need supplemental material for an advanced course in health policy.
Features
The book starts with a brief overview of the U.S. healthcare delivery system and comparisons with other countries such as Canada, the U.K., and Germany. The central chapters focus on the transdisciplinary providers, the impact of technology, financial considerations including reimbursement issues, differences between primary, chronic, community, and acute care needs. The next set of chapters explores the evolution of managed care and integrated health systems. Two chapters address vulnerable populations -- those in long term care and those who are considered underserved. The book ends with the growing issues of today -- cost, access, quality, policy implications, and the future as projected by the new Obama administration. The topics are old, but the book helps students to visually see the information with the many exhibits such as health indicators and examples of cost-saving technology. Since many readers may not be health professionals, these exhibits enhance understanding.
Assessment
There are many books on healthcare delivery systems, but this is the only one that condenses the material in an understandable manner. This second edition has added up-to-date information on the VA system, Centers for Medicare Medicaid Systems, state children's health insurance, the movement to corporate health models, and technology including the electronic medical record and use of telemedicine. Health care reform is presented within the context of the Obama administration's campaign for reform -- a good rationale for a new edition.
Review Questionnaire
Range Question Score
1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 8
1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 8
1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5
1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 4
1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 4
1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 4
1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5
1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 3
1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 4
1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5
1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 4
1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 4
1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 4
1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book N/A
1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 8
1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? 8