Learning about healthcare

[reising1]

---

Members do not see this ad.

As a Pre-Med, we are supposed to be well rounded people. But of course, given how intense some course work, research, etc. can be, some of us (like myself) tend to lose focus of the bigger picture, such as current events and in particular, healthcare.

I want to learn all about healthcare and healthcare policy, but not in too much depth. I want to be able to answer questions during interviews this upcoming year. Anyone recommend a reading on a website, or a book, or a video, documentary, etc.? Something that is inclusive enough, but not overly detailed.

 

[earf]

NPR.org for the latest discussions and interviews on healthcare

 

[earf]

And http://youtu.be/3-Ilc5xK2_E

 

[C.glabrata123]

For current events:

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/health/index.html

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/index.html

 

[Gut Shot]

Understanding Health Policy: A Clinical Approach by Bodenheimer and Grumbach

You won't find anything better.

 

[HH8911]

I enjoyed The Healing of America by TR Reid. It goes over a lot of the other healthcare systems in the world and compares it to the US. It's definitely an easy read.

 

[DrEnderW]

Here are some links that I read before the interview season:

http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/rights/index.html

You can open up the sub-sections you're interested in a get a quick paragraph about each section of the Affordable Care Act. This is a good one as well:

http://kff.org/health-reform/fact-sheet/summary-of-new-health-reform-law/

Regardless of what people say, Wiki is great for basic numbers and info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_the_United_States

I wasn't asked anything about the ACA or current health care climate in the US but I'm sure others have been. I passionately believe in preventative medicine and the importance of teaching nutrition so I worked some of that in with some statistics for the mission of certain schools and "why medicine."

GL

 

[SN12357]

As a Pre-Med, we are supposed to be well rounded people. But of course, given how intense some course work, research, etc. can be, some of us (like myself) tend to lose focus of the bigger picture, such as current events and in particular, healthcare.

I want to learn all about healthcare and healthcare policy, but not in too much depth. I want to be able to answer questions during interviews this upcoming year. Anyone recommend a reading on a website, or a book, or a video, documentary, etc.? Something that is inclusive enough, but not overly detailed.

Read the nytimes, NPR (or listen to it), the Atlantic, the Economist, any number of reputable news outlets. Check out longreads.com for long form journalism articles.

You need to actively seek out information from many sources, all the time, in order to be up to date. One book isn't going to give you the kind of fluency you're asking for.

 

[sletten]

As a Pre-Med, we are supposed to be well rounded people. But of course, given how intense some course work, research, etc. can be, some of us (like myself) tend to lose focus of the bigger picture, such as current events and in particular, healthcare.

I want to learn all about healthcare and healthcare policy, but not in too much depth. I want to be able to answer questions during interviews this upcoming year. Anyone recommend a reading on a website, or a book, or a video, documentary, etc.? Something that is inclusive enough, but not overly detailed.

https://www.coursera.org/course/healthpolicy

 

[Omppu27]

Have any of you guys read Health Care Reform and American Politics: What Everyone Needs to Know by Lawrence Jacobs? If so, opinions?

http://www.amazon.com/Health-Care-Reform-American-Politics/dp/0199769125/ref=sr_1_1/191-9802154-4255822?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372789819&sr=1-1

 

[Doctor Strange]

Wikipedia

 

[ericksonj15]

.

 

[Jennyfishy]

A couple physicians and grad students I've talked to recommend reading "Casualties of Care: Immigration and the Politics of Humanitarianism in France"

It's not really so much about "healthcare" itself, but it discusses the consequences of our healthcare efforts and the importance of understanding politics, health policies, and social justice issues when it comes to practicing medicine.

 

[Entadus]

Great thread, bumping for more suggestions.

This is definitely one area that I'm getting nervous about as interview season rapidly approaches.

 

[C.glabrata123]

The Social Transformation of American Medicine by Paul Starr gives an excellent history of the development of professional medicine up to the 1980s. It's great, if you have the time.