This book investigates the key factors influencing the rise in physicians' service expenditures in the United States during the two decades following World War II. Victor R. Fuchs, a distinguished economist, analyzes the economic and social forces that shaped healthcare spending during this critical period of expansion and change. The study draws upon extensive statistical data from 1948 to 1968 to present a comprehensive economic model of physician service utilization and cost.

This seminal work by Victor R. Fuchs is recognized for its rigorous economic analysis of healthcare spending during a transformative period in American medicine. The book provides a foundational understanding of the determinants of physician service expenditures, influencing subsequent research in health economics and policy. Its detailed statistical approach and comprehensive scope have made it a key reference for scholars and policymakers examining the historical trajectory of healthcare costs.