The gap between a rising demand for health care services on the one side and scarce resources on the other, is leading to a growing pressure on decision-making processes. Hence, prioritization in medicine has become an increasingly important issue for assuring stability of health systems and improving the capability of health care. The present volume addresses normative dimensions of methodological and theoretical approaches, the legal basis behind priority setting as well as international experiences concerning the normative framework and the process of priority setting. It also examines specific criteria for prioritization and discusses economic evaluations. Contributing authors from a broad range of scientific disciplines discuss prioritization within an international dialogue.

“This is an overview of prioritization in medicine and how it differs from rationing, as well as some objective views of the entire system. … the book appears appropriate for any students, new or seasoned healthcare workers, lawyers, or others working in healthcare policy. … This book is very helpful in that it paints a bigger picture of priority setting in healthcare, while providing objective ways to systematically start to evaluate healthcare in the U.S.” (Katie Hooven, Doody's Book Reviews, March, 2016)