Ask HN: An engineer's perspective on healthcare
I'm a long-time HN lurker, and I need some advice. I've just finished my undergrad in Electrical Engineering, with specializations in CS and Biomedical engineering. I want to spend two or so years in the industry, and then probably do a PhD or an MBA.
I've always been passionate about poverty alleviation and as a core component of that, healthcare. The problem is, I'm not sure how to go about applying my broad educational background in an effective manner: I can potentially work in biomedical devices, or I can do things more Computer Science/machine learning related in healthcare, or perhaps even in some other softer/less technical manner. I'm not sure what I should pivot myself towards, and I'm trying to solve that question.
Before I can figure out where I want to go (any advice on this is welcome as well!), I need to update my knowledge of the healthcare system. I was wondering if people have any recommendations on: 1) Books with a general overview of the healthcare system, focusing on US but perhaps with some excursions into global healthcare. 2) Books from an engineer's perspective on the healthcare industry, or something that covers predictions on the future of healthcare, including avenues of technical/healthcare innovation and legal/structural changes.
I know there are a lot of books out there about healthcare, but a lot of them seem to be about certain very specific issues, and not a general introduction. This book (http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118971086.html), for example, seems to be a type of book I'm looking for, but I can't find any review of this one anywhere online. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations?
Thanks a bunch.