Critical Mass, at What Cost to Patients?

As a medical journalist and editor for more than 10 years, covering industries including managed care, dermatology and cosmetic surgery, I have learned a great deal about what makes healthcare in America both excellent and poor. As a patient and consumer of healthcare services, I can tell you that a prolonged response to a request for an appointment is one of the most frustrating things a patient encounters, particularly when he or she has a problem for which there is reason to be concerned.