Until the publication of the Measures of Medicine, medical statistics has too often been bogged down in its own arcane language. Dr Riegelman in this new book has deliberately set out to make clear an understanding of principles rather than equations. The first part of the book, Benefits and Harms, directly relates to decision making in medical practice. The second part amplifies these discussions into a thorough review of the cost considerations in today's medical world. This is a book that will help the practicing physician understand the larger world of research, practice guidelines, and governmental compliance through the use of problems, worked examples, and free software containing statistical problems