Policy, performance and finance are the issues currently headlining the healthcare agenda and are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Drawing on experiences from around the world, this essential collection examines the key strategic issues facing health services and analyzes the policy implications of leading new research. The volume brings together 16 newly-commissioned studies from leading experts in health studies, in particular: policy, economics, health care management and health services research. International in perspective and scope, it draws on empirical evidence from East and West Europe, Canada, New Zealand and the Middle East. Themes covered include: health policy and technology assessment, policy and performance, international policy innovation, and organizational innovation. This ground-breaking collection will prove a valuable guide for policy makers, managers, practitioners, researchers and students.