More Harm Than Good: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Common Treatments and Procedures

This is unquestionably the single most important work on health care policy to come into print for many decades. It is dazzling in its analysis of the true facts regarding medical service utilization, and more than courageous in its willingness to debunk the received wisdom of the U.S. medical establishment. Finally, in this incredibly original book, we have a painstakingly documented challenge to the cliche that clumsy administration by greedy payer organizations is the sole cause of the inefficiencies and inequities in our health care system. Instead, teaches Dr. Zelicoff, it is the widespread use of therapies not justifiable by outcome statistics, and the tragic under-utilization of demonstrably cost-effective therapies nationwide that are making health care both disappointing in result and unaffordable, at the same time. It is physicians' collective inability, moreover, to understand and apply basic statistical analysis that makes it unlikely that this state affairs will change, barring a quantum effort to re-educate. I would urge anyone interested in the future of health care to read this book very carefully, and to tell others about it, but I appeal to the authors to consider seeking a new publishing house for a subsequent edition. This beautifully composed book is tragically burdened by editing so poor that there are many occasions, in the book, when it is difficult to follow content because the text contains glaringly misconjugated verbs, dropped letters (such as when "thought" becomes "though"), and an assortment of confusing punctuation mishaps. At one point, inexplicably, even the identity of a mega-celebrity such as Lance Armstrong is confused with that of a lesser cycling athlete who can make no claim to having surmounted the deadly disease that is the topic of an otherwise excellent discussion on rare successes in the treatment of cancer metastases. I cannot imagine that Dr. Zelicoff and his co-writer were given a chance to review the galleys of their book before it reached market, and it worries me greatly that the critical message of the book may not reach the audience it needs to reach because of the jarring malapropisms and other editing errors that blight its otherwise gorgeous text. Do buy this book, nonetheless, and then cross fingers for a new edition that will do justice to the very lofty quality of its content.

I found MORE HARM THAN GOOD to be very well written, easy to read, interesting, and very informative. The book discusses statistics associated with many of the expensive and highly invasive medical procedures where the results may not justify either the expense or the invasion. In many situations, doing nothing could be the better course of action. This book helps clarify why the costs of medical care have soared, which also provides insights as to how we could possibly begin to regain control of the costs. I expect to use insights from this book in making future medical decisions for myself.

MORE HARM THAN GOOD: WHAT YOUR DOCTOR MAY NOT TELL YOU ABOUT COMMON TREATMENTS AND PROCEDURES should be a 'must' for any general-interest lending library strong in consumer health issues. It covers many common medical conditions commonly over-treated, considers other options, and tells how to discuss issues with a doctor. Included is a basic understanding of disease and health affecting such decisions. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

When you find a misspelled word on the very first page of a book (in this case, "OCCASSION") and then misspellings and grammar boo-boos all the way through it, I'm sorry, but I can't help but rate it lower. This is something that I see more and more as the moronic children of my Baby Boom generation take their places in the publishing workplace. We should have concentrated a little less on their self-esteem and a little more on the three Rs. While I salute the authors, the editors should be fired.

This book was very readable and easy to understand. It should be read by everyone who wants to obtain the best medical care or is concerned about rising health care costs. It deals with health care in the United States from a patient, doctor and national perspective. There is an excellent review of common serious diseases including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Problems that may be inherent in use of the latest pill, technology, or procedure and the overuse of screening tests are well covered. The authors present a compelling case for better use of statistical approaches in modern medicine which should provide better treatment and reduced costs.