Main description:

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 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.

Contents:

PART I.THE PROBLEM OF UNWARRANTED VARIATION IN HEALTH CARE
1. In Health Care, Geography is Destiny
2. The Vermont Experience

PART II. SURGICAL VARIATION: UNDERSTANDING PREFERENCE-SENSITIVE CARE
3. Tonsillectomy and Medical Opinion
4. Interpreting the Pattern of Surgical Variation
5. Understanding the Market for Preference-Sensitive Surgery
6. Learning What Works and What Patients Want
7. The Birth and Near Death of Comparative Effectiveness Research

PART III. MEDICAL VARIATION: UNDERSTANDING SUPPLY SENSITIVE CARE AND OVERUSE
8. Understanding Supply-Sensitive Care
9. Chronic Illness and Practice Variation
10. 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 Illness

PART IV. REFORMING HEALTH CARE
13. Promoting Organized Care and Reducing Overuse
14. Establishing Informed Patient Choice as a Standard of Care
15. Six Ways to Control Cost, Accelerate Reform and Save the Economy
16. The Challenge of Unwarranted Variation

Afterword with Shannon Brownlee

Appendix on Methods

Glossary

Notes & References