In Patients in Peril: The Demise of Primary Care in America, Gregg Coodley examines the state of healthcare in the United States, drawing comparisons, pointing out the mishaps in the medical field, and expounding on how things came to be. Not too long ago, most Americans could count on having a personal or primary care physician. The availability of physicians made it easy for every American to access affordable healthcare, but not anymore. Gregg Coodley is comprehensive in his writing, starting from the root of the problem, highlighting the causes of the decline, and offering practical solutions.

The author introduces the reader to his work by giving them an idea of how it started. Then, he writes about the background of primary care in America, sharing historical details not known by many. I applaud him for how he chronicled the historical events and the progress made during the period American colonies gained independence. It is interesting to learn that doctors have been viewed in a different light through various periods in history. For example, I was awed to learn of doctors during the Jacksonian period in the 1830-the 1840s and how they were generally regarded in the 1800s. Gregg Coodley is great at penning historical tales, picking the most fascinating facts to write on.

This informative book has 21 chapters, all manageable in length. The author is clear, uses recognizable terms, and engages the reader in his writing. Although the content of this book is about healthcare and medicine, the writing is engaging, using descriptions and case studies to get his points across. Every chapter is distinct, and the topics are diverse. I also like the fact that the author added images of ancient paintings and modern pictures in between the chapters, as it made the book more appealing to read.

In Patients in Peril: The Demise of Primary Care in America, you will learn about the dangers of ignoring primary healthcare, the benefits of primary healthcare, insurance, the rise of hospitalists, vaccines, and medical training, among other issues. The use of data and statistics by Gregg Coodley was an excellent concept for readers that appreciate factual information. The highlight for me was the appendix, where the author listed proposed reforms. I recommend this illuminating book to medical professionals and readers who are conscious about their health and the state of healthcare in America.

Pages: 440 | ASIN : B0BMLSKRTX