Essentials of Health Economics, Second Edition examines the public health care system through the lens of economic theory. Through the use of numerous examples and profiles related to the field, students will learn the importance health economics and its relevance to more general analysis of health policy issues. This text is ideal for courses in programs of public health, health administration, and allied health professions as it conveys the essence of the economic issues at hand while avoiding complicated methodological issues that would interest only students of economics. Written with the non-specialist in mind, the book focuses on how to do descriptive, explanatory and evaluative economics in a systematic way. The Second Edition features: - Highly accessible content - Ideal for students with a modest quantitative background - Real world examples throughout, giving the student hands-on experience in actual policy-related issues as economic concepts are introduced. - Comprehensive coverage of the specifics of the health care markets, the evaluation of health care services delivered, and health care reform - Updated statistics and references throughout - New chapters on Noncompetitive Market Models and Market Failures; International Health System Issues and Reform; and National and State Health Care Reforms Instructor Resources: Instructor's Manual, PowerPoint Lecture Slides, Test Bank

This popular textbook provides a comprehensive but accessible coverage of health economic principles and applications. It provides an introduction for those with no previous knowledge of economics, but also more advanced material suitable for those with a background in economics. Now into its second edition, Barbara McPake and Charles Normand have incorporated developments in economic evaluation and economics of health systems from recent research and experience while retaining an accessible approach and style. The book starts with a section on basic economic principles as applied to health and health care, and goes on to discuss economic evaluation in health care, the economics of health systems and health care finance. Examples and illustrations are taken from a wide range of settings and world regions, reflecting the authors¿ belief that the same principles apply, and that it is useful to have some understanding of how different countries organise the health system. It provides an understanding of the performance of different health systems from the insurance based approaches in the United States to government funding that is common in Canada and most countries in Europe, and the mixed systems that operate in most low-income countries. This book is ideal for students in public health and related courses, for health care professionals and those studying health economics at a more advanced level.

Thinking like a health economist -- The relationship between health and wealth -- The production of health -- The production of health-related goods and services -- The demand for healthcare -- Perfect competition and other market structures -- Physician behavior -- The insurance market -- Cost-effectiveness analysis

In this book we hope to provide doctors interested in health economics with an appreciation of some of the basic issues in meeting the objectives of health care within the resources available in the best way possible. It should also allow them to see in a fairly practical way what economics has already contributed and what economists and doctors together need to do to enhance that contribution in the future. Since economics does not represent merely a bag of analytical tools but also, and more fundamentally, a way of thinking about choice we discuss in this first chapter some misconceptions about economics and highlight some of the more important underlying principles. Subsequent chapters will indicate how economics can contribute (and indeed has done) to issues of financing, planning, organising, and evaluating health services. The concluding chapter will present a critique of the state of the NHS and of health economics and outline some challenges for the future.

"KJ Lee's latest edition of the Essential Medicine book series aims to provide exactly what our understanding of America's Healthcare Economics has been lacking: perspective. The burden of fixing America's Healthcare economy should not be shouldered by economists alone. Healthcare providers and their patients should have a seat at the table, or they will be the ones left to continue to finance this trillion-dollar (and growing) quandary. With insightful and provocative chapters written by a diverse collection of world renown physicians and nurses, veterans of hospital administrations, business leaders of the nation's most successful group practices, and more, Essential Rational Healthcare Economics: Past, Present, and Future takes a much-needed scientific approach to the difficulties with the current state of Healthcare Economics. This book provides primary evidence from multiple sources, introduces critical analysis from industry experts, compares findings with international standards and best practices, and culminates with a summary of discussion and a recommendation - perhaps even a warning - for the future"--