Can there be too much of a good thing? the hazards of uncritically embracing medical advances
What's the problem? don't we need lifesaving new treatments?
Medical innovations and American culture: the call of the sirens
Why more isn't always better: red herrings, side effects, and superbugs
Why newer isn't always better: unpleasant surprises, recalls, and learning curves
Social hazards: what we lose by uncritical use of new treatments
How things really work: opinion makers and regulators of medical advances
What will you swallow? how drug companies get you to buy more expensive drugs than you may need
Making friends, playing monopoly, and dirty tricks: other industry strategies
Stacking the deck? how to get the "right" answer in clinical research
"Cancer cured
film at 11:00": the media's role in disseminating medical advances
Doctors and hospitals: fueling the drive for new and more
Advocacy groups: Mother Teresa's waiting room
Holes in the safety net: the FDA and the FTC
Ineffective. inferior or needlessly costly new drugs
Medical devices that disappoint
Ineffective or needlessly extensive surgery
Weight loss technology: shedding pounds from your waistline or your wallet?
For doctors: evidence-based medicine
For insurers and researchers: pay now or pay more later
For all decision makers: getting value for money
For government: regulatory approaches to improve the dissemination of medical innovations
For consumers: shared decision making.