Getting Health Reform Right: A Guide to Improving Performance and Equity by Marc Roberts, Peter Berman, William Hsiao

From the Publisher

This book meets a critical need felt by analysts, researchers, and officials struggling with health-sector reform around the world. The authors synthesize diverse analytical methods and international experience to provide practical guidance on how to improve the performance of health-care delivery systems. Drawing on economic analysis, political strategy, managerial considerations, and ethical concerns, the text guides the reader through a step-by-step process for defining problems, diagnosing causes, devising solutions, and assuring adoption and implementation. With a focus on the health-care system as a means to an end-and improving the well-being of a nation's population-the book helps the reader develop effective strategies tailored to each nation's individual situation. Particular attention is paid to issues of equity and the difficulties confronted by disadvantaged populations.

About the Author:
Marc J. Roberts, Ph.D., is Professor of Political Economy and Health Policy in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Harvard School of Public Health,

About the Author:
William Hsiao, Ph.D., is K. T. Li Professor of Economics in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Harvard School of Public Health, and Director of the Program in Healthcare Financing

About the Author:
Peter Berman, Ph.D., is Professor of Population and International Health Economics in the Department of Population and International Health at Harvard School of Public Health, and Director of the International Health Systems Program

About the Author:
Michael R. Reich, Ph.D., is Taro Takemi Professor of International Health in theDepartment of Population and International Health at Harvard School of Public Health and Director of the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Lena L Watson, Dr. RN, MBA/HCM (University of Phoenix)
Description:This is a one-of-a-kind, in-depth analysis of the inherent challenges of implementing a healthcare reform system in countries around the world. The basic philosophy considers healthcare as a means to an end. The book especially emphasizes healthcare equity among disadvantaged groups in a global context. An approach to healthcare reform considers six key elements. However, the authors carefully acknowledge inherent differences in social, political, healthcare delivery, and other national conditions when contemplating reforming any healthcare sector.
Purpose:The objectives are relevant and worthy because of the similar urgent and underlying problems healthcare sectors face internationally. This book meets the author's objectives in a substantive way, containing a culmination of six important concepts and perspectives of the health sector reform process.
Audience:Catering to a broad audience, this is an excellent textbook for advanced degree allied healthcare management, public policy, and public health students. It is also suitable for any programs focusing on international healthcare reform. Political policymakers, scholars in public health, healthcare analysts, and researchers can get practical expert information from this book. The authors suggest this book is primarily appropriate for analysts, researchers, and public officials. It is ideal for essentially any political or healthcare professional interested in healthcare reform. It is a must-read publication for anyone interested in practicing or managing in a diverse healthcare arena. It provides a way toconsider healthcare reform strategies that's sensitive to social, political, financial, and medical needs on an international scale.
Features:The book covers a vast amount of complex information in a clear and concise manner such as: a) the health reform cycle, b) ethical theories guiding the moral aspects of public policy goals for health care reform agendas, c) a systematic political policies and strategies development, d) a set of core health system performance goals and intermediate performance measures, e) a systematic approach to diagnosing a health system, and f) a framework to adjust and control aspects of a healthcare reform system. The book is simply formatted with helpful diagrams, tables, and figures. The references at the end of each chapter make it easy to locate resources discussed in that chapter. This is a unique, well researched book that uses a current approach to healthcare reform. The fact that it is essentially a guide book may limit the need for subsequent editions.
Assessment:This is a book that was developed as a result of an unmet need for an alternative healthcare reform system. It represents the hard work and successful collaboration of noted academicians, institutions, and international groups. This is an important contribution to the existing body of literature on global development in healthcare.

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents