Awards

• Winner of Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Title 2019
• Winner of Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Title 2019 (United States)

Overview

U.S. military conflicts abroad have left nine million Americans dependent on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for medical care. Their ""wounds of war"" are treated by the largest hospital system in the country-one that has come under fire from critics in the White House, on Capitol Hill, and in the nation's media. In Wounds of War, Suzanne Gordon draws on five years of observational research to describe how the VHA does a better job than private sector institutions offering primary and geriatric care, mental health and home care services, and support for patients nearing the end of life. In the unusual culture of solidarity between patients and providers that the VHA has fostered, Gordon finds a working model for higher-quality health care and a much-needed alternative to the practice of for-profit medicine.

Full Product Details

Author:   Suzanne Gordon
Publisher:   Cornell University Press
Imprint:   Cornell University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 3.70cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.907kg
ISBN:  

9781501730825

ISBN 10:   1501730827
Pages:   464
Publication Date:   15 October 2018
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations Introduction: What Kind of Care for Veterans? 1. Promises Broken and Kept: A Short History of the VHA 2. Those Who Have Borne the Battle: The VHA's Patient Population Profile—What It Means to Be a VA Volunteer 3. Primary Care the Way It Should Be 4. Healing Minds and Bodies: Integrated Mental Health Care and Primary Care 5. Dealing with a World of Hurt: VHA Treatment of Chronic Pain 6. When Wounded Warriors Are Women: Caring for Female Veterans 7. Mental Health the Way It Should Be 8. Unpacking PTSD: From Diagnosis to Effective Treatment Profi le—Karen Parko: A Special Kind of Professional Development at the VA 9. Returning to Civilian Life: Veterans on Campus 10. Suicide Prevention: VHA Programs That Save Lives 11. Overcoming Disability: VA Rehabilitation Services Profile—Mark Smith: No Ordinary Bike Shop 12. Transcending Trauma: The Martinez Cognitive Rehabilitation Program 13. Off the Streets: Reducing Veteran Homelessness 14. Alternatives to Jail: Veterans' Justice Programs Profile—Cops and Vets: The Memphis Crisis Intervention Model 15. Specializing in Elder Care: The VA and Geriatrics 16. Knocking on Heaven's Door: The VA and End-of-Life Care 17. Better Care Where? The VHA Compared to the Private Sector Conclusion: A System Worth Saving—and Making Even Better Epilogue: Thank You for Your Service? Notes Index About the Author

Reviews

Wounds of War is a significant contribution. It intersperses 'boots on the ground' stories from providers, volunteers, family members, and veterans receiving care-and enhances typically dry data about all aspects of VA care. I have never read something that so wonderfully ties it all together. It's a true work of art. -- Amy Webb, National Legislative Policy Advisor, AMVETs Suzanne Gordon's book left me totally convinced that the VA healthcare system is a crucial resource for clinicians, policy makers, and hospital administrators everywhere. As a physician who has worked in university medical centers and community clinics, I was deeply impressed by the front-line care-giving described in Wounds of War. Under increasingly difficult conditions, VA staff are helping and healing patients in ways not reproducible in the private sector. -- Edward Machtinger, M.D. Professor of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco Wounds of War shows how the VHA became a leader in patient safety, geriatrics, and the integration of primary and mental health care. At a time when the needs of many Americans are not well addressed in our larger healthcare system, eligible veterans are getting much better care, at lower cost, than patients served by the private sector. Suzanne Gordon's book provides a timely reminder of what veterans will lose if their healthcare system is undermined and dismantled. -- Donald M. Berwick, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement

Wounds of War is a significant contribution. It intersperses 'boots on the ground' stories from providers, volunteers, family members, and veterans receiving care-and enhances typically dry data about all aspects of VA care. I have never read something that so wonderfully ties it all together. It's a true work of art. -- Amy Webb, National Legislative Policy Advisor, AMVETS Suzanne Gordon's book left me totally convinced that the VA healthcare system is a crucial resource for clinicians, policy makers, and hospital administrators everywhere. As a physician who has worked in university medical centers and community clinics, I was deeply impressed by the front-line care-giving described in Wounds of War. Under increasingly difficult conditions, VA staff are helping and healing patients in ways not reproducible in the private sector. -- Edward Machtinger, MD Professor of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco Wounds of War shows how the VHA became a leader in patient safety, geriatrics, and the integration of primary and mental health care. At a time when the needs of many Americans are not well addressed in our larger healthcare system, eligible veterans are getting much better care, at lower cost, than patients served by the private sector. Suzanne Gordon's book provides a timely reminder of what veterans will lose if their healthcare system is undermined and dismantled. -- Donald M. Berwick, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement Wounds of War is a remarkable book that provides an unparalleled, in-depth look into the VA Healthcare System-a behind-the-scenes view you will not see on cable news. While filled with facts and hard data, Wounds of War above all else recounts the personal stories of many of the individual veterans who have suffered grievous injuries in service to America and the committed and skilled caregivers who try to heal their wounds. After reading this book, you will understand why the VA healthcare system is so unique. Wounds of War should be required reading for all members of Congress-indeed, for all Americans. -- Kenneth W. Kizer, The Honorable Kenneth W. Kizer, MD, MPH, Former Under Secretary for Health for the VA Wounds of War highlights what the average American rarely gets to see in the news media but what many veterans know first-hand: day in and day out-and with little fanfare-the Veterans Health Administration provides high quality, patient-centered care to millions of our nation's veterans. -- Senator Bernie Sanders A terrific book, and I would recommend that every veteran depending upon the VA for his or her healthcare buy it. * The Veteran * Important and timely. * BeyondChron *

Wounds of War shows how the VHA became a leader in patient safety, geriatrics, and the integration of primary and mental health care. At a time when the needs of many Americans are not well addressed in our larger healthcare system, eligible veterans are getting much better care, at lower cost, than patients served by the private sector. Suzanne Gordon's book provides a timely reminder of what veterans will lose if their healthcare system is undermined and dismantled. -- Donald M. Berwick, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement Suzanne Gordon's book left me totally convinced that the VA healthcare system is a crucial resource for clinicians, policy makers, and hospital administrators everywhere. As a physician who has worked in university medical centers and community clinics, I was deeply impressed by the front-line care-giving described in Wounds of War. Under increasingly difficult conditions, VA staff are helping and healing patients in ways not reproducible in the private sector. -- Edward Machtinger, M.D. Professor of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco Wounds of War is a significant contribution. It intersperses 'boots on the ground' stories from providers, volunteers, family members, and veterans receiving care-and enhances typically dry data about all aspects of VA care. I have never read something that so wonderfully ties it all together. It's a true work of art. -- Amy Webb, National Legislative Policy Advisor, AMVETs

Wounds of War shows how the VHA became a leader in patient safety, geriatrics, and the integration of primary and mental health care. At a time when the needs of many Americans are not well addressed in our larger healthcare system, eligible veterans are getting much better care, at lower cost, than patients served by the private sector. Suzanne Gordon's book provides a timely reminder of what veterans will lose if their healthcare system is undermined and dismantled. -- Donald M. Berwick, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement Suzanne Gordon's book left me totally convinced that the VA healthcare system is a crucial resource for clinicians, policy makers, and hospital administrators everywhere. As a physician who has worked in university medical centers and community clinics, I was deeply impressed by the front-line care-giving described in Wounds of War. Under increasingly difficult conditions, VA staff are helping and healing patients in ways not reproducible in the private sector. -- Edward Machtinger, M.D. Professor of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco Wounds of War is a significant contribution. It intersperses 'boots on the ground' stories from providers, volunteers, family members, and veterans receiving care-and enhances typically dry data about all aspects of VA care. I have never read something that so wonderfully ties it all together. It's a true work of art. -- Amy Webb, National Legislative Policy Advisor, AMVETS

Wounds of War is a significant contribution. It intersperses 'boots on the ground' stories from providers, volunteers, family members, and veterans receiving care-and enhances typically dry data about all aspects of VA care. I have never read something that so wonderfully ties it all together. It's a true work of art. -- Amy Webb, National Legislative Policy Advisor, AMVETS Suzanne Gordon's book left me totally convinced that the VA healthcare system is a crucial resource for clinicians, policy makers, and hospital administrators everywhere. As a physician who has worked in university medical centers and community clinics, I was deeply impressed by the front-line care-giving described in Wounds of War. Under increasingly difficult conditions, VA staff are helping and healing patients in ways not reproducible in the private sector. -- Edward Machtinger, MD Professor of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco Wounds of War shows how the VHA became a leader in patient safety, geriatrics, and the integration of primary and mental health care. At a time when the needs of many Americans are not well addressed in our larger healthcare system, eligible veterans are getting much better care, at lower cost, than patients served by the private sector. Suzanne Gordon's book provides a timely reminder of what veterans will lose if their healthcare system is undermined and dismantled. -- Donald M. Berwick, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement Wounds of War is a remarkable book that provides an unparalleled, in-depth look into the VA Healthcare System-a behind-the-scenes view you will not see on cable news. While filled with facts and hard data, Wounds of War above all else recounts the personal stories of many of the individual veterans who have suffered grievous injuries in service to America and the committed and skilled caregivers who try to heal their wounds. After reading this book, you will understand why the VA healthcare system is so unique. Wounds of War should be required reading for all members of Congress-indeed, for all Americans. -- Kenneth W. Kizer, The Honorable Kenneth W. Kizer, MD, MPH, Former Under Secretary for Health for the VA Wounds of War highlights what the average American rarely gets to see in the news media but what many veterans know first-hand: day in and day out-and with little fanfare-the Veterans Health Administration provides high quality, patient-centered care to millions of our nation's veterans. -- Senator Bernie Sanders Important and timely. * CounterPunch * A terrific book, and I would recommend that every veteran depending upon the VA for his or her healthcare buy it. * The Veteran * Important and timely. * BeyondChron *

Author Information

Suzanne Gordon has written, edited, or coauthored twenty books. Gordon has been published in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, American Prospect, Atlantic Monthly, and Harper's Magazine.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions