I had the privilege of a neurosurgical practice at a good hospital for more than 25 years. The hospital was located in Silicon Valley. The changes in medical practice brought by our federal and state governments have made medical care more expensive and more dangerous. Doctors are increasingly separated from patients. Billing events have replaced competent patient care. My observations on patient care are presented in two books, Inevitable Incompetence and Trillion Dollar Scam. To understand the reason for the continual increase in medical error, the continual increase in cost and the continual separation of doctor from patient these books are a must read.

S. W. Seidman, MD, FACS