Medical Overkill : Diseases of Medical Progress - Hardcover

Green, Ralph C.

 
9780893130657: Medical Overkill : Diseases of Medical Progress

Synopsis

When will our economic structure fail to accommodate our expanding medical expenditures? These have risen to 240 billion dollars annually and approach 10% of the gross national product, making medicine the nation's largest industry. The most rational control is a reduction of demand. Approximately 50% of our hospital beds are occupied by patients who are practically ambulatory and could be treated as well or better at home, the physician's office or as out-patients, while avoiding the iatrogenic risks of hospitalization. Of the remaining 50%, half have self-inflicted, therefore preventable illness. Can the idea of individual responsibility supersede or supplement that of individual rights? Must these rights be guaranteed by government and delivered by public and private agencies? The tests involved in routine checkups and probing for causes which follows slightly abnormal findings are a major source of financial and emotional wastage, but these are only part of the perils to your purse in your medical bills. Unnecessary, erroneous, unproductive and hazardous surgery, which adds billions of dollars to our national expense are discussed in detail. In this book you will find many examples that are literally -- medical rip-offs.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780397530502: Medical Overkill: Diseases of Medical Progress

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0397530501 ISBN 13:  9780397530502
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Hardcover