Once, Americans could count on having a personal or primary care physician who would see patients for new or chronic problems, whether in the office or the hospital. The appeal of such a system is more than psychological, for both primary care and continuity of care with a physician over time are associated with improved patient care, greater patient satisfaction, and lower overall costs. These days are ending as primary care in the United States is rapidly disappearing. Where once 80% of American doctors were in ...
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Once, Americans could count on having a personal or primary care physician who would see patients for new or chronic problems, whether in the office or the hospital. The appeal of such a system is more than psychological, for both primary care and continuity of care with a physician over time are associated with improved patient care, greater patient satisfaction, and lower overall costs. These days are ending as primary care in the United States is rapidly disappearing. Where once 80% of American doctors were in primary care, now perhaps only a quarter of new graduates enter the field. Existing primary care doctors are retiring prematurely while many of those remaining feel demoralized, dispirited, and defeated. Experts predict increasing shortages of primary care doctors. The collapse of primary care will increase overall costs, hurt hospitals and insurers, but most of all damage the care of patients. Patients in Peril explains the roots of the problem, the travails of primary care in America, the role of medical schools, hospitals, insurers and government, and how this all affects patients. Patients in Peril also offers practical achievable reforms that would improve care, reduce costs, and potentially avert this disaster.
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In Patients in Peril: The Demise of Primary Care in America, Gregg Coodley examines the state of healthcare in the United States, drawing comparisons,Ã? pointing out the mishaps in the medical field, and expounding on how things came to be. Not too long ago, most Americans could count on having a personal or primary care physician. The availability of physicians made it easy for every American to access affordable healthcare, but not anymore. Gregg Coodley is comprehensive in his writing, starting from the root of the problem, highlighting the causes of the decline, and offering practical solutions.
The author introduces the reader to his work by giving them an idea of how it started. Then, he writes about the background of primary care in America, sharing historical details not known by many. I applaud him for how he chronicled the historical events and the progress made during the period American colonies gained independence. It is interesting to learn that doctors have been viewed in a different light through various periods in history. For example, I was awed to learn of doctors during the Jacksonian period in the 1830-the 1840s and how they were generally regarded in the 1800s. Gregg Coodley is great at penning historical tales, picking the most fascinating facts to write on.
This informative book has 21 chapters, all manageable in length. The author is clear, uses recognizable terms, and engages the reader in his writing. Although the content of this book is about healthcare and medicine, the writing is engaging, using descriptions and case studies to get his points across. Every chapter is distinct, and the topics are diverse. I also like the fact that the author added images of ancient paintings and modern pictures in between the chapters, as it made the book more appealing to read.
In Patients in Peril: The Demise of Primary Care in America, you will learn about the dangers of ignoring primary healthcare, the benefits of primary healthcare, insurance, the rise of hospitalists, vaccines, and medical training, among other issues. The use of data and statistics by Gregg Coodley was an excellent concept for readers that appreciate factual information. The highlight for me was the appendix, where the author listed proposed reforms. I recommend this illuminating book to medical professionals and readers who are conscious about their health and the state of healthcare in America.
