Problem Definition: We address two key questions faced by patients, physicians and policy makers: (1) how do different types of patients benefit differently from elite surgeons, and (2) how can outcome data be used to achieve better health care at both the individual and social levels?...

One of the most important changes to the United States health care system over the last two decades is the emergence of pay-for-performance as a way to encourage hospitals and other providers to improve quality of care. Unlike fee-for-service, these value-based purchasing programs measure...

Close to 90% of drugs consumed in the US are generics, representing around 30% of the overall drug expenditure. Generic drugs have saved the healthcare system over 2.4 trillion dollars over the past decade. Such cost-saving benefit, however, can only be realized when the drug's effectiveness is...