Medicine and Business: Bridging the Gap. . - Bookshelf - book review

Healthcare Financial Management, March, 2003 by Michael Peters

Sheldon Rovin, Editor Jones and Bartlett Publishing Sudbury, Mass., 2001 312 pages; $72.95

Medicine and Business: Bridging the Gap provides an overview of healthcare financial management principles for physicians and other clinically oriented healthcare professionals. Rather than presenting a strictly historical perspective, the editor's focus is primarily on "what's next." Thus, the book lends itself best to readership in middle- or upper-management, as this audience is best positioned to have the authority to take action.

The book relies on the expertise of 11 contributors, each of whom addresses a chapter concept. Featured topics include planning, Leading change, self-empowerment, economic principles, new program break-even analysis, investing and financing decisions, physician compensation, HMO provider contract negotiations, medical care quality clinical practice guidelines, and information technology.

Although many complex topics are addressed in very short chapters, the material presented is sufficient to whet one's appetite for more. The book is well-organized, and the understanding of one particular chapter is not a prerequisite for the next.

Reviewed by Michael Peters, PhD, chair of healthcare management, Baker College Center for Graduate Studies, Flint, Mich.