Beyond the Walls: MegaTrends, Movements and Market Disruptors Transforming American Healthcare

by Zeev E. Neuwirth

The American healthcare system is failing us. It is a frustratingly complex, opaque, and unaffordable system that results in suboptimal care and a deterioration of the welfare of the majority of American families. The experience of the past few decades and the recent ravaging pandemic has shown us that doing more of the same is not going to deliver us from this dilemma. But there is hope. There is a way to create a more accessible, consumer-friendly, safer, and affordable system of care for all of us. In Beyond the Walls , Dr. Neuwirth, a physician, healthcare executive, and innovator distills, in understandable language, the learnings from years of in-depth research into the megatrends and market disruptors that are shaping the present and immediate future of American healthcare. Through the stories of those behind the movement, he uncovers the forces that are driving better health outcomes, more personalized care, greater equity, and lower costs. Unlike many other books in this genre, the focus is on what’s right in American healthcare rather than on what’s wrong. It is practical, actionable and rooted in a realistic understanding of the industry's challenges and opportunities. It’s an inspiring and instructive read on the courageous leaders that are dismantling the barriers to innovation in healthcare delivery. This book reads like a collection of heroic journeys. These stories encourage and embolden us not to be held hostage by the mindset, behaviors, and inertia of the past. They are intended to ignite the creativity, integrity, and courage of more leaders to go beyond the walls and leverage their own potential to contribute to a more humane future for American healthcare. This is a “must-read” for anyone who wants better healthcare and better health.

Genres: Nonfiction, Medical, Business, Health

208 pages, Hardcover

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Isabelle Leventhal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think to begin with, the author and I do not see eye to eye on many things including the role McKinsey should (or shouldn't) play in healthcare and whether airbnb and Amazon are positive market changes. I think much of the book idealizes tech to the point of being blind to some harsh realities of it.

I thought part ii was the most interesting when it really zeroed in a whole person health and simple, elegantly designed programs to support whole person health.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

A book detailing the improvements in health care that are happening and will happen in the future. I don't share the author's faith in technology, but there are a lot of interesting things happening in health care right now. I think I came out of it a little more optimistic.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can*]

Won via goodreads giveaways, all my opinions are my own.
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Not my cuppa :( Too many covid mentions in this as well.. my anxiety was so high during that time that I can't read anything with it and don't know when I'll be able to :(

[Lee Radford · Rating 5 out of 5]

How markets are driving health care today.

[AnnieM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book that challenges our thinking about how to create a more accessible, patient-centered and affordable healthcare system with better outcomes. The author lives in this space -- he is a physician, health-care leader and innovator. He also interviews many experts in the space. There are many factors disrupting the effectiveness of health care delivery today - aging population, shortage of health care providers (physicians, nurses, etc.), coverage across the US including rural communities, health care inequities and the high costs of care. On the plus side, this book outlines how technology and a reframing of how we think about delivery of health care can be game-changers. By reframing health care delivery from "point-of-care" to "point of need" - this frees up the ability for patients to access care 24/7 from where they live and work. Dr. Neuwirth also brings in a humanistic lens to solutions including a Contextual checklist as well as other tools that expand on how we think of patient care - for the whole human. In the end, it all boils down to leadership and their willingness to move beyond the status quo and innovate to deliver more effective and meaningful care that is accessible and achieves health outcomes. There is a supplement in the back of the book that outlines a roadmap of how to start on this journey of transforming health care. I recommend this read for those of us concerned about our health care system.

Thank you to Netgalley and Advantage Books for an ARC and I left this review voluntarily.