Discusses how patients can be harmed while being treated for disease and how to select the treatment that provides the greatest benefit to the patient and the least risk of harm. Although American medicine can provide the best care in the world the health care system is often flawed. A part of the population enjoys excellent treatment, but at an incredible price, and many get harmed in the process. How health care can be improved by decreasing the likelihood of harm to patients and increasing the benefit from treatment is discussed. The book slays some sacred cows, such as the assumption that all medical and surgical procedures are beneficial to patients. Economic aspects of medical health care are discussed and suggestions about how costs of caring for the sick can be reduced at the same time as the quality of care is improved.