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In this highly-detailed article, prepared by Melina Gattellari and Jeanette E. Ward of the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, the overall goal is to evaluate a number of current resources used to "facilitate informed decisions about prostate cancer screenings," a subject that has rarely been addressed in recent years. In order to accomplish this goal, the authors conducted a study of 421 men who randomly were given a leaflet, a booklet or a video concerning how to make informed decisions on whether or not to have prostate cancer surgery or some other type of treatment. What the authors found is very interesting, for after testing these men on their increased knowledge on prostate cancer alternatives, "scores were significantly higher... among those who had received (the) booklet, compared with men who received the leaflet or video." Thus, the results of the author's study suggests that men "require detailed information about the pros and cons" of PSA testing, surgery and chemotherapy "in order to make an informed decision," one that could potentially affect the rest of their lives. This article certainly demonstrates that most men are not very knowledgeable on the topic of prostate cancer and shows that all men need to become more informed about the dangers of not being tested for prostate cancer.

Glouberman, Sholom and Henry Mintzberg. Managing the Care of Health and the Cure of Disease -- Part I: Differentiation. Aspen Publishers, 2001.

In this highly-detailed article, Sholom Glouberman and his colleague Henry Mintzberg concern themselves with a problem that has plagued the medical profession for many years, namely, "Why are the so-called systems of health care so notoriously difficult to manage?" In order to answer this question, the authors explore exactly why health care systems are currently under examination, due in part to almost all Western nations, including the United States, being unsatisfied with the current state of their systems which has mandated a broad spectrum of reforms, particularly in the area of finances. Since health care systems are "the most complex systems known to contemporary society," it appears that "fixing" the ills of these systems will require a great deal of research and exploration. The authors also point out that hospitals "are considered to be extraordinarily complicated organizations," especially when one takes into account the enormous pressures linked to an ever-growing and aging American public. Thus, this article is certainly necessary reading for anyone wishing to examine the various health care systems worldwide.