The Social Transformation of American Medicine

The Rise of a Sovereign Profession and the Making of a Vast Industry

De: Paul Starr

Narrado por: Sean Runnette

Considered the definitive history of the American healthcare system, The Social Transformation of American Medicine examines how the roles of doctors, hospitals, health plans, and government programs have evolved over the last two and a half centuries. How did the financially insecure medical profession of the 19th century become a most prosperous one in the 20th century? Why was national health insurance blocked? And why are corporate institutions taking over our medical care system today?

Beginning in 1760 and coming up to the present day, renowned sociologist Paul Starr traces the decline of professional sovereignty in medicine, the political struggles over healthcare, and the rise of a corporate system.

Updated with a new preface and an epilogue analyzing developments since the early 1980s, this new edition of The Social Transformation of American Medicine is a must-listen for anyone concerned about the future of our fraught healthcare system.

©1982 Paul Starr (P)2018 Tantor

Wonderful history/sociology of American Medical practice

Starr does an impressive job of translating arcane sociology to mainstream history. Well worth the time…and it takes a long time!

really expansive but really dense

I last read Dr Starr's book as a college sophomore. it was incredibly satisfying to read it again after practicing surgery for 25 years.

His scholarship and insightful comments are particularly meaningful to me. I strongly recommend this book to help gain an understanding of the context of medical practice in the United States.

Informative but kind of boring

I think it's an important book for every doctor to read BUT I wish there would have been some form of a quick summary at the end. I found myself getting lost at times in the story and how things were moving. I think the time frame would be easier to understand with a physical book. Overall, would definitely recommend. The topic is not my favorite but it was very good information!! Glad I listened to it!

Cogent

Very well documented and the epilogue confirms analysis done decades earlier. Recommended for structure and Conte.

Chapters don’t align with the physical book’s chapters.

Very interesting and informative, but the chapters on the audiobook don’t align with the chapters in the physical book. Since there are no chapter titles on the audiobook it’s difficult to correspond with group discussion.

Fascinating Survey of Healthcare in Amerixa

This book was dense! By that, I mean it was chalk full of important and interesting information but a little challenging to get through at times.

I recommend powering through some of the slower points because they payoff is a wealth of information about one of the most important and confusing aspects of American Life.

Every one should read.

The book clearly points out, how we have gotten to where we are in the land of medicine.

excellent.

excellent overview and analysis of why the US medical system is the way it is and why changing it is such a challenge.

simply wonderful

should be required reading in every medical school. as a physician none of this was discussed in my training. makes a fascinating if dense read

Eye opening view of why our healthcare system is as it is

The history of the US healthcare system discussed in this book should be required reading for healthcare professionals.