Prescription for the Future: The Twelve Transformational Practices of Highly Effective Medical Organizations

by Ezekiel J. Emanuel

How can America's healthcare system be transformed to provide consistently higher-quality and lower-cost care? Nothing else in healthcare matters more.

Prescription for the Future identifies some standout medical organizations that have achieved higher-quality, more patient-focused, and lower-cost care, and from their examples distills twelve transformational practices that could transform the entire healthcare sector.

Ezekiel J. Emanuel looks at individual physician practices and organizations who are already successfully driving change, and the specific practices they have instituted. They are not the titans everyone seems to know and assume to be the "best"; instead, Emanuel has chosen a select group -- from small physician offices to large multi-specialty group practices, accountable care organizations, and even for-profit companies--that are genuinely transforming care.

Prescription for the Future shines a bright diagnostic light on the state of American healthcare and provides invaluable insights for healthcare workers, investors, and patients. The book gives all of us the tools to recognize the places that will deliver high-quality, effective care when we need it.

Genres: Health Care, Nonfiction, Health, Medical, Business, Medicine

272 pages, Hardcover

Published June 6, 2017

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's nothing like a highly educated white guy referring to a 95-year-old African American woman who was not able to complete high school as "adorable." On top of a tone-deaf approach that refers repeatedly to patient "compliance" and takes a top-down approach to medical interventions and management, the book endorses the current capitalist system of medical provision. For instance, he endorses buying an expensive piece of equipment that sits idle most of the time in order to avoid paying contract fees to use the same piece of equipment owned by someone else. Perhaps there are better solutions, such a cooperative buy among health groups? Or having the Medicare program own the piece of equipment so that fees are at cost? The book is also written in outline form. Emanuel tries to spice it up with anecdotes, but it still reads more like a book proposal than a book. Disappointing.

[Matthew Luttmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book if you are in health care and want a review of reforms in the industry from the industry's perspective. Somewhat wonky. The first part of the book is the worst part. It is wordy, repetitive, and loaded with MBA buzzwords.

[Laura Missett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was determined to finish this book!! It was boring and probably longer than it needed to be. I feel like the author's head was in the right place with a lot of this stuff, but the book needs some love. Having worked on two ACO models/programs, I can say he didn't get it write right and I also reached out to colleagues to get their input.

My personal favorite was the Medicare MSSP Program. Or said another way, the Medicare Medicare Shared Savings Program Program.

I also happened to be friends with one of the book subject's daughter and said that the book didn't get her piece quite right. I think this could have done with some serious peer reviewing.

I agree with a lot of what the book says, but not in the way it's been said.

[Mythili · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of good ideas here, but it reads like a really long powerpoint presentation.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my new favorite books. If everyone were to read Ezekiel Emmanuel's book, the case for healthcare reform (and the value of the ACA) would be much better understood by all.

Emmanuel has a gifted writing style for making a highly-complex topic very accessible. A good balance of examples from various transformative outlets and landscapes in healthcare (some examples leaned on more than others....albeit that they are good models).

Much of Emmanuel's points about transformative practices could easily be applied outside of healthcare to instigate a better future.

A great companion/follow-up piece to T.R. Reid's The Healing of America.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great contemporary picture of what's needed in healthcare DELIVERY reform. Good information on what is working around the country and what is not. And although I think he is wrong about at least two of his examples (I worked in and with two of the organizations he describes), the 12 transformations are important and well described.

[DK Simoneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really great ideas. Not everything in the Affordable Care Act had to do with insurance. This book spells out some of that and has even more ideas on how to improve our system. Food for thought for sure.

[Steve P. Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Urgent Care

a spot on analysis about the shortcomings of our current healthcare system and real-world examples of how it can be fixed.

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct and accessible; a great (and relatively non-partisan) summary of healthcare transformation in the U.S.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, thoughtfully written book. I would definitely read it again.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good anecdotes and even some data. However it's all colored by the backdrop of defending the legacy of the ACA.

[Ronnie Sharangpani · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down

[Lee Radford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a helpful approach to studying health care policy, by examining in depth organizations currently in the United States that are taking innovative and new approaches to health care.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prescription for the Future identifies some standout medical organizations that have achieved higher-quality, more patient-focused, and lower-cost care, and from their examples distills twelve transformational practices that could transform the entire healthcare sector.