The Meaning of Competence in Modern American Medicine

In the ever-evolving landscape of American healthcare, what does it mean to be a good doctor? With the rise of new biotechnologies, the looming threat of malpractice suits, and proposed health-care reform, physicians face unprecedented challenges in providing quality care. In this groundbreaking book, Mary-Jo DelVecchio Good delves into the complexities of competence in modern medicine, examining the crucial questions that shape the medical profession.

The Centrality of Competence in Medicine

Through ethnographic studies of three distinct medical communities – rural California physicians, Harvard Medical School’s “New Pathway” curriculum, and breast cancer oncologists – Good reveals the pervasive influence of competence on medical practice. From the power struggles between rural general practitioners and specialists to the organizational changes in medical education, competence provides a framework for understanding the medical world.

In their own words, practitioners, students, and academics share their perspectives on what competence means to them, expressing frustration with medical-legal institutions, malpractice, and the limitations of peer review and medical training. This timely and provocative study is essential reading for medical professionals, academics, anthropologists, sociologists, and healthcare policymakers seeking to improve the quality of care in America.

About the Book

Published by University of California Press, this book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the meaning and politics of competence in modern American medicine. With its September 2023 release, it is a must-read for anyone invested in the future of healthcare in America.

Language: English

ISBN: 9780520088962, 9780520922037