This Handbook Provides An Authoritative Overview Of Current Issues And Debates In The Field Of Health Care Management. It Contains Over Twenty Chapters From Well-known And Eminent Academic Authors, Who Were Carefully Selected For Their Expertise And Asked To Provide A Broad And Critical Overview Of Developments In Their Particular Topic Area. The Development Of An International Perspective And Body Of Knowledge Is A Key Feature Of The Book. The Handbook Secondly Makes A Case For Bringing Back A Social Science Perspective Into The Study Of The Field Of Health Care Management. It Therefore Contains A Number Of Contrasting And Theoretically Orientated Chapters (e.g. On Institutionalism; Critical Management Studies). This Social Science Based Approach Is A Refreshing Alternative To Much Existing Work In This Domain And Offers A Good Way Into Current Academic Debates In This Field. The Handbook Thirdly Explores A Variety Of Important Policy And Organizational Developments Apparent Within The Current Health Care Field (e.g. New Organizational Forms; Growth Of Management Consulting In Health Care Organizations). It Therefore Explores And Comments On Major Contemporary Trends Apparent In The Practice Field.