Introduction to Health Care Economics and Financial Management (fundamental concepts with practical applications), Susan J. Penner. Philadelphia, Pa, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004. 323 pages, softcover.

This very complete text is divided into 6 sections with their respective chapters. These are (1) introduction to health economics and managed care; (2) budgets, budget monitoring, and budget preparation; (3) financial analysis tools; (4) understanding and using financial reports; (5) applying budgeting and financial analysis: business plans and grant proposals; and (6) international perspectives and future trends. The appendices are large and useful as is the glossary.

The text is very sophisticated and so it enables the reader to gain a worthwhile insight into the rapidly changing environments and system of care both nationally and internationally. It demonstrates with firm data how poorly our care compares to other industrial nations in both quality and cost. A weak point is the comments on the nurse shortage. Two studies done in 2 major universities show that most women nurses work only a little over 30% full time from the time they graduate until retirement time compared to men who work 96% of the time. Thus, if the profession was only 30% male the shortage would disappear or be more easily managed. The statements from the power back in Washington that they never will force women to be democratic has existed since the affirmative action legislation has been enacted.

This book will be of strong assistance in enabling nurses to plan more exactly about how to cope successfully with the steady changes in care-especially at the international level. Keeping apace all the other health professions in this country will require a steady reorganization of nursing care in all its components as documented in this well-organized text.