"Beginning with the essential question 'What is helath [sic]?', Paul Dugdale's Doing health policy is a comprehensive analysis of Australia's health system in all its complexity. Dugdale traces the historical dynamics which have resulted in the particular balance between public and private which characterises Australia's health care system. He explains the impact of competing political theories on health policy, and the role of the key health players: hospitals, the medical profession and government. Key current issues with health insurance, quality and safety, consumer consultation, and biosecurity are also outlined. Thro[u]gh this analysis, Dugdale isolated the strategies which can be effective in managing and reforming the health system. Doing health policy is valuable reading for health professionals working in management and policy roles"--Provided by publisher.