Overview

Critical Condition: American Medicine at the Quarter-Century Mark is a reflection on the current state of health care in America. It is both a scholarly analysis and a compilation of personal accounts – a collection of essays that critically examine the triumphs and failures of modern medicine, as well as narratives that illuminate the lived experiences of those within it. The “Analysis” section dissects some of the most pressing challenges in medicine today: the burnout epidemic among physicians, the increasing encroachment of artificial intelligence into clinical decision-making, the erosion of patient trust, and the politicization of healthcare policy. These essays aim to diagnose the structural issues undermining American health care, offering insight into their origins and consequences. The “Accounts” section shifts focus to the personal. It captures the voices of doctors, patients, and medical professionals working in a system in flux. While the essays in this section are works of fiction, they are rooted in truth – each drawn from a conglomeration of real experiences the author has encountered in recent years. These stories are a valuable lens through which to examine the moral and emotional burdens borne by health care providers and the everyday struggles of those seeking care in an increasingly fragmented system. The unifying thread is the urgent need for reform – reform not only in healthcare policy and administration but in the culture of medicine itself. This requires challenging the status quo, questioning the motives of those who dictate the terms of healthcare delivery, and advocating for a system that prioritizes the well-being of both patients and practitioners. Critical Condition is intended for physicians, policymakers, students, and anyone invested in the future of American health care. It serves as both a critique and a call to action – an acknowledgment of the system’s failings but also a reminder of its possibilities.

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9781680534023

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Arthur L. Lazarus, MD, MBA, is a healthcare consultant, certified physician executive, and nationally recognized author, speaker, and champion of physician leadership and wellness. He has broad experience in clinical practice and the health insurance industry, having led programs at Cigna and Humana. At Humana, Lazarus was vice president and corporate medical director of behavioral health operations in Louisville, Kentucky, and subsequently a population health medical director in the state of Florida. Lazarus has also held leadership positions in several pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and AstraZeneca, conducting clinical trials, and reviewing promotional materials for medical accuracy and FDA compliance. He has published more than 400 articles and essays and written or edited 11 books, including 7 related to the field of narrative medicine. Lazarus attended Boston University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with distinction. He received his medical degree with honors from Temple University School of Medicine, followed by a psychiatric residency at Temple University Hospital, where he was chief resident. After residency, Lazarus joined the faculty of Temple faculty, where he currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry. He also holds non-faculty appointments as Executive-in-Residence at Temple University’s Fox School of Business and Management, where he received his MBA degree, and Senior Fellow at Jefferson College of Population Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lazarus is a past president of the American Association for Psychiatric Administration and Leadership, a former member of the board of directors of the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL), and a current member of the AAPL editorial review board. In 2010, the American Psychiatric Association honored Lazarus with the Administrative Psychiatry Award for his effectiveness as an administrator of major mental health programs and expanding the body of knowledge of management science in mental health services delivery systems. Lazarus is among a select group of physicians in the United States who have been inducted into both the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society of collegiate schools of business. Lazarus enjoys walking, biking, playing piano, and listening to music. He has been happily married to his wife, Cheryl, for over 40 years. They are the proud parents of four adult children and have five grandchildren.

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