American Medicine
The Meaning and Politics of Competence in Modern American Medicine
What does it mean to be a good doctor in America today? How do such challenges as new biotechnologies, the threat of malpractice suits, and proposed health-care reform affect physicians’ ability to provide quality care? These and many other crucial questions are examined in “The Meaning and Politics of Competence in Modern American Medicine,” the groundbreaking book by Mary-Jo DelVecchio Good.
Good’s book is the first to fully explore the meaning and politics of competence in modern American medicine. Drawing on her recent ethnographic studies of three distinct medical communities – physicians in rural California, academics and students involved in Harvard Medical School’s innovative “New Pathway” curriculum, and oncologists working on breast cancer treatment – Good demonstrates the centrality of the issue of competence throughout the medical world.
In the book, Good delves into the various dimensions of competence, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of its significance in medical practice. From the power struggles between rural general practitioners and specialists, to the organizational changes in medical education, to the clinical narratives of high-technology oncologists, Good explores how competence shapes the landscape of modern American medicine.
What sets this book apart is its incorporation of firsthand perspectives from practitioners, students, and academics. Through their own words, they describe what competence means to them and reveal their frustrations with medical-legal institutions, malpractice, and the limitations of peer review and medical training. This personal insight adds depth and authenticity to the book, making it a compelling read for medical professionals, academics, anthropologists, sociologists, and health-care policymakers.
This timely and provocative study raises important questions about the state of modern American medicine and challenges readers to critically examine the notion of competence. In a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, understanding the meaning and politics of competence is essential for those who aim to improve the quality of care and navigate the complex challenges faced by medical professionals.
Product Details
- Publisher: University of California Press; September 1, 2023
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9780520088962
- ISBN: 9780520922037
Order your copy of “The Meaning and Politics of Competence in Modern American Medicine” today and gain invaluable insights into the challenges and complexities of providing quality care in the modern healthcare system.
Product Details
- Publisher: University of California Press; September 1, 2023
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9780520088962
- ISBN: 9780520922037