It may sound incongruous, but medical treatment can be harmful to your health. One estimate in the year 2000 ranked medical care as the third leading cause of death, trailing only heart disease and cancer! The Institute of Medicine quotes 1.5 million preventable detrimental drug events annually in the U.S., and the CDC figures that more than 700,000 hospital-acquired infections occur each year. In this multi-authored book promoting patient empowerment, legislative activism, and reform, health care in the U.S. is painted as too risky, frequently unnecessary, and way too costly. Topics include dangerous drugs and medical devices, hospital-acquired infections, lax licensing and credentialing of doctors, peer review problems, and difficulty in obtaining information about physician discipline and malpractice history from the National Practitioner Data Bank. When medical mistakes do occur, truth telling is essential; at times, an apology is necessary. Acceptance of evidence-based medical guidelines by all practicing physicians is vital.

Booklist

An inspiring and gripping series of tragedies, heroes, and common-sense solutions to healthcare’s dilemma.

Marty Makary, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins surgeon and New York Times best-selling author of Unaccountable

The Truth About Big Medicine exposes some of the truths about “big medicine:” the fragmentation of services, the regulatory gaps and inconsistencies, and the lapses in the provision of high quality care. Through the lens of consumer protection and patient-centeredness the authors delineate ways to “open up” and improve the U.S health care system using greater transparency and disclosure.

Carolyn Long Engelhard, MPA, director of Health Policy Program, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine

The authors have provided a thoughtful and well documented account of many lapses occurring in America's troubled health delivery system. This is tempered with a series of common sense recommendations whereby patients and society can rightfully expect improvements and hold accountable those professionals whose practices cause untold injuries and deaths. This book is a must read for all who seek a more responsible and accountable healthcare system.

Aaron Liberman, Ph.D., LHRM, professor of health services administration, University of Central Florida