Health Economics: Efficiency, Quality, and Equity

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This is a study of the present status and future direction of health care economics and its far-reaching ramifications. "Health Economics" provides exhaustive analyses of such major issues as cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, quality enhancement, and technology assessment. Part 1 presents a basic overview of cost analysis, production functions, and provider cost behaviour. Part 2 considers economic models of physicians and hospital behaviour, and recent changes in methods for paying physicians. Part 3 focuses on employee cost sharing, HMOs, gatekeepers to contain utilization, and the use of case managers in long-term care. Part 4 looks at equity, social welfare, and the unique problems of urban medical centres. Part 5 focuses on consumer information, quality measurement, and health manpower policies for nonphysician providers. Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis is reviewed in part 6. The last part summarizes major future policy options and suggests a number of mixed strategies, including capitation. In short, "Health economics" aims to provide policy makers, health care providers, and students with the analytical tools needed to effectively balance efficiency and quality.

Reviews

Health Economics offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration into the ever-evolving and continually challenging system of health care economics for this decade. Hospital administrators, directors, managers, and physicians as well as others in health care with a concern for out-of-control costs would appreciate the author's perspective.-Clinical Gerontologist
The book is an excellent introduction to the major issues affecting the health care sector today, and students can read sections at a time, where they will be introduced to some of the most important research in the fields of health services research and health policy.-Academic Medicine
"The book is an excellent introduction to the major issues affecting the health care sector today, and students can read sections at a time, where they will be introduced to some of the most important research in the fields of health services research and health policy."-Academic Medicine
"Health Economics offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration into the ever-evolving and continually challenging system of health care economics for this decade. Hospital administrators, directors, managers, and physicians as well as others in health care with a concern for out-of-control costs would appreciate the author's perspective."-Clinical Gerontologist

Author Bio

STEVEN R. EASTAUGH is Professor of Health Economics and Finance at George Washington University. The winner of numerous awards, including the American College of Healthcare Executives Edgar Hayhow Award, Professor Eastaugh has published widely in the areas of health care economics and finance. His companion volume, Health Care Finance, will also be issued by Auburn House in 1992.