Richard K. Thomas – författare

"Health demography" has come to play an increasingly important role within the larger field since 1980; the number of health professionals who utilize its methods and materials has grown exponentially. In a revision of the first edition of this text and reference, published by Plenum in 1992, the authors convey the general principles that underlie this applied subdiscipline and demonstrate how the merging of demography and health care impacts on the planning processes of a range of health-care organizations.

This guide to the sociology of health and healthcare addresses the needs of both sociologists and health professionals. Written by a career health professional with a medical sociology background, the text applies sociological concepts to current healthcare issues in the early-21st century, incorporates the latest findings from health services research, and provides clear examples of the uses of sociology in understanding the US healthcare system. Each chapter contains illustrative boxed material, exhibits highlighting key information, suggested readings and useful web sites for more information. With over 30 years of experience, the author provides valuable insights into the social aspects of health behaviour and reveals an in-depth understanding of the social dimensions of the health delivery system. The book is a textbook for students of sociology and health, as well as a reference book for instructors and practitioners in the healthcare and sociology fields.

This text provides the reader with an understanding of the key concepts related to the planning process and offers step-by-step guidelines for developing any type of plan for a community, a health system or an organization. The author addresses the challenge of health planning at both the community level and within the healthcare organization. In addition, the book provides detailed guidance on the development of strategic plans, business plans, and marketing plans. It provides background on the sociocultural context for health planning and the nature of the demand for health services. Resource material is provided on the research process necessary to support planning activities and sources of data for health planning. Illustrative material is provided through boxes and exhibits throughout the text. An extensive appendix provides examples of various types of plans drawn from the experiences of the author. A glossary provides the reader with definitions of key terms. Readers should gain an appreciation of the importance of planning for the orderly development of health services at the community or organization level.The necessary skills will be learned to allow the reader to formulate plans or, at the least, be able to intelligently discuss the planning process with other health professionals. Health Services Planning is a useful textbook in health administration programs, as well as a resource to health professionals in both public and private sector healthcare organizations who need to have an understanding of the planning process.

In recent years health professionals have developed a growing appreciation of the critical role that communication plays in healthcare. The effective communication of information on medical conditions and healthy lifestyles has played an important part in the improvement of the health status of the American population. At the same time, it is hard to ignore the negative impact that ineffective communication can have within the healthcare arena. We only have to note the contribution of poor communication to malpractice suits, misdiagnoses, failures in patient compliance, and cross-cultural misunderstandings to see the role that communication plays. This recognition of the impact—both positive and negative—of communication in healthcare is generating growing interest in the field of health communication.-Basic theory and concepts underlying the health communication field -Real-world strategies for designing, implementing, and evaluating programs -Up-to-date coverage of print, broadcast, digital, and interactive health media -Profiles of target populations with specific health needs -Case examples illustrating what works and what doesn’t -Sidebars, glossary, Web links, and other tools The benefits of good health communication are many, from better relationships between providers and patients to improved treatment compliance to reduced inequities of care.By combining comprehensive background with detailed applications, this uniquely practical reference serves professionals involved in health care marketing or administration, health communication specialists looking to adapt to emerging technologies or new audiences, and advocacy groups. It can also be a valuable classroom text for communications, public health, and related courses.

For health care professional, clinical expertise is not enough - one has to know the market. This title explains the range of marketing activities and techniques, from promotions to pricing, helping health professional learn to navigate this important aspect of healthcare.

The third edition of Health Services Planning represents a necessary revision of the second edition (2003) and reflects the significant changes that have occurred in the social and health environments, the healthcare field, and the planning endeavor itself. The book reviews the history of health planning (with reference to activities in other countries) before describing the process from start to finish in great detail. The philosophy underlying health planning and its perception, past and present, are reviewed with a particular emphasis on the factors that are making health planning more relevant than ever.The steps in the health services planning process are reviewed and supported by how-to guidance, examples of planning applications, and planning case studies. The various levels and types of planning are described (societal, community, organizational; strategic, business, marketing), and the similarities and differences discussed.Newand updated chapters in this edition cover the planning requirements introduced through the Affordable Care Act, the rethinking of the community health needs assessment process, and the implications of the population health movement for health planning: The Social and Health Systems Context for Health Services PlanningThe Changing Environment for Health PlanningThe New Community Assessment ProcessFrom Community Health Needs Assessment to Population Health AssessmentHealth Services Planning, 3rd Ed., remains a critical resource for health administration programs, as well as an essential publication for health professionals in both public and private sector healthcare organizations that need to have an understanding of the planning process.

The third edition of Health Services Planning represents a necessary revision of the second edition (2003) and reflects the significant changes that have occurred in the social and health environments, the healthcare field, and the planning endeavor itself. The book reviews the history of health planning (with reference to activities in other countries) before describing the process from start to finish in great detail. The philosophy underlying health planning and its perception, past and present, are reviewed with a particular emphasis on the factors that are making health planning more relevant than ever.The steps in the health services planning process are reviewed and supported by how-to guidance, examples of planning applications, and planning case studies. The various levels and types of planning are described (societal, community, organizational; strategic, business, marketing), and the similarities and differences discussed.Newand updated chapters in this edition cover the planning requirements introduced through the Affordable Care Act, the rethinking of the community health needs assessment process, and the implications of the population health movement for health planning: The Social and Health Systems Context for Health Services PlanningThe Changing Environment for Health PlanningThe New Community Assessment ProcessFrom Community Health Needs Assessment to Population Health AssessmentHealth Services Planning, 3rd Ed., remains a critical resource for health administration programs, as well as an essential publication for health professionals in both public and private sector healthcare organizations that need to have an understanding of the planning process.

Music as a Chariot offers a multidisciplinary perspective whose primary proposition is that theatre is a type of music. Understanding how music enables the theatre experience helps to shape our entire approach to the performing arts. Beginning with a discussion on the origin and nature of time, the author takes us on an evolutionary journey to discover how music, language and mimesis co-evolved, eventually coming together to produce the complex way we experience theatre. The book integrates the evolutionary neuroscience of the human brain into this journey, offering practical implications and applications for the auditory expression of this concept—namely the fundamental techniques artists use to create sound scores for theatre. With contributions from directors, playwrights, actors and designers, Music as a Chariot explores the use of music to carry ideas into the human soul—a concept that extends beyond the theatrical to include film, video gaming, dance, or anywhere art is manipulated in time.

Music as a Chariot offers a multidisciplinary perspective whose primary proposition is that theatre is a type of music. Understanding how music enables the theatre experience helps to shape our entire approach to the performing arts. Beginning with a discussion on the origin and nature of time, the author takes us on an evolutionary journey to discover how music, language and mimesis co-evolved, eventually coming together to produce the complex way we experience theatre. The book integrates the evolutionary neuroscience of the human brain into this journey, offering practical implications and applications for the auditory expression of this concept—namely the fundamental techniques artists use to create sound scores for theatre. With contributions from directors, playwrights, actors and designers, Music as a Chariot explores the use of music to carry ideas into the human soul—a concept that extends beyond the theatrical to include film, video gaming, dance, or anywhere art is manipulated in time.

In recent years health professionals have developed a growing appreciation of the critical role that communication plays in healthcare. The effective communication of information on medical conditions and healthy lifestyles has played an important part in the improvement of the health status of the American population. At the same time, it is hard to ignore the negative impact that ineffective communication can have within the healthcare arena. We only have to note the contribution of poor communication to malpractice suits, misdiagnoses, failures in patient compliance, and cross-cultural misunderstandings to see the role that communication plays. This recognition of the impact—both positive and negative—of communication in healthcare is generating growing interest in the field of health communication.-Basic theory and concepts underlying the health communication field -Real-world strategies for designing, implementing, and evaluating programs -Up-to-date coverage of print, broadcast, digital, and interactive health media -Profiles of target populations with specific health needs -Case examples illustrating what works and what doesn’t -Sidebars, glossary, Web links, and other tools The benefits of good health communication are many, from better relationships between providers and patients to improved treatment compliance to reduced inequities of care.By combining comprehensive background with detailed applications, this uniquely practical reference serves professionals involved in health care marketing or administration, health communication specialists looking to adapt to emerging technologies or new audiences, and advocacy groups. It can also be a valuable classroom text for communications, public health, and related courses.

For the first time, a guide to the sociology of health and healthcare that addresses the needs of both sociologists and health professionals. Written by a career health professional with a medical sociology background, Thomas applies sociological concepts to current healthcare issues, incorporates the latest findings from health services research, and provides clear examples of the uses of sociology in understanding the U.S. healthcare system. Each chapter contains illustrative boxed material, exhibits highlighting key information, suggested readings, and useful websites for more information. With over 30 years of experience, the author provides valuable insights into the social aspects of health behavior and reveals an in-depth understanding of the social dimensions of the health delivery system. The book is a textbook for students of sociology and health, as well as a reference book for instructors and practitioners in the healthcare and sociology fields.

The increasing importance of sickness and disability data across health-related disciplines is the focus of this concise but comprehensive resource. It reviews the basics of morbidity at the population level by defining core concepts, analyzing why morbidity has overtaken mortality as central to demographic study, and surveying ways these data are generated, accessed, and measured. Subsequent chapters demonstrate how this knowledge can be used to better understand—and potentially solve—critical public health issues, benefitting not only populations served, but also areas such as health services planning, resource allocation, and health policy-setting. To make this material useful to the most readers, this reference: Explains why and how morbidity data are categorized by health professionals and other data users.Examines various methods of identifying and measuring morbidity data. Identifies demographic and non-demographic factors associated with morbidity.Describes and evaluates sources of U.S. morbidity data.Reviews the current state of morbidity in the U.S., and what it means for healthcare and society in general.Suggests future uses of morbidity data in reducing health disparities and improving population health.In Sickness and In Health is uniquely relevant to demographers and demography students, public health professionals, and epidemiologists. Its presentation of concepts and applications makes the book a valuable classroom text and a useful guide for those addressing challenges facing U.S. healthcare.

Demography as a discipline is now at the point where its relevance to business decision making is indisputable—and top business management knows this. People who lack an understanding of state-of-the-art demographic techniques, and who cannot adapt to new ways of thinking prompted by demography and demographers, will find themselves significantly disadvantaged in today's competitive business environment. Pol and Thomas thus provide practitioners and students alike with a concise but intensive introduction to the concepts and methods of business demography. They chronicle current demographic trends and explain their meaning for business. With numerous examples drawn from business and industry, they make clear that business demography is truly a decision-making science.Pol and Thomas introduce basic concepts, then present an overview of recent and future demographic trends. They elaborate on the application of current demographic methods to planning and marketing in the contemporary business environment, and illustrate their points with numerous charts, maps, and sidebars. Pol and Thomas provide many examples of real world situations in which demographic methods, data, perspective, and theory are actively applied. With sections on sources of health care data, the calculation of demographic rates, the demographic resources available and up-to-date statistics on current demographic trends, their book becomes not only a unique resource for professionals, but also a useful text and reference for their colleagues in the academic community.

It discusses health disparities and the social determinants of health and illness and provides new ways of moving forward towards a more sustainable healthcare model in a changing society, thereby pointing out the importance of multi-sector collaboration for collective impact for community health improvement.

It discusses health disparities and the social determinants of health and illness and provides new ways of moving forward towards a more sustainable healthcare model in a changing society, thereby pointing out the importance of multi-sector collaboration for collective impact for community health improvement.

This book provides a basic understanding and concise overview of the nature of population health, the factors that make a new paradigm necessary, and the attributes associated with this unique approach to community health improvement. Written in a very accessible way, the book describes the definition of population health, the attributes of population health, and what population health is and is not. It emphasizes the extent to which the population health model revolutionizes the approach to community health improvement within a contemporary context, beginning with a redefining of such common concepts as “health”, “healthcare”, “health status”, and “health needs assessment”. As such, this book is a valuable read for practitioners and professionals who need to be familiar with the population health approach but are not likely to try to implement it.

This textbook presents an overview of the field of demography from a contemporary perspective. It emphasizes the applied nature of demography and includes a chapter on application of demography to real-world problems as well as a discussion of population policy.

This textbook offers a comprehensive overview of applied demography by presenting both basic concepts and methodological techniques. The topics covered include business demography, health demography, political demography, educational demography, and applications to urban and regional planning.

This textbook offers a comprehensive overview of applied demography by presenting both basic concepts and methodological techniques. The topics covered include business demography, health demography, political demography, educational demography, and applications to urban and regional planning.

In this 3rd edition of the definitive work on health demography, Pol and Thomas offer an updated view of the field and a current perspective on the applications of health demography to contemporary issues.