This is another great book in the YOU series by Dr. Mahmet Oz, M.D. and Dr. Michael Roisen, M.D.
238,337 potentially preventable deaths occurred due to medical mistakes during 2004 through 2006, according to HealthGrades' fifth annual Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study.
While there is no sure way to know whether a well-informed patient has a better chance of surviving, insider information certainly could give someone an advantage. Enter one of the early books from the Drs. Oz and Roisen. I've reviewed three others of their books but skipped over this one initially. It didn't seem to be a fit for us smart women. As traditional health care becomes more and more impersonal and rushed, and insurance policies more difficult to understand I reconsidered and think this book should be on every one's shelf. If only to be better patient advocates for parents and other elderly relatives.
For some of you it may seem that the concept is a big yawn. Some of the suggestions like "get a second opinion, check the credentials of the hospital you are considering" might seem obvious. Sometimes what's obvious gets taken for granted and bears repeating.
Recently, I was working with a woman and her daughter on the mom's recent breast cancer diagnosis. The doctor who did the biopsy called the woman a few days later to say he was scheduling a mastectomy and they would do it as outpatient surgery. This was the first message this woman had about the type of cancer and the treatment options, if you can call that an option.
The mother is "from the old country", pick one, and didn't want to challenge the doctor. The daughter thankfully had no loyalty to this new authority figure and told the doc they were going to get a second opinion. One new oncology doc and an MRI later revealed that surgery could have been lethal for this woman due to the placement and size of the tumors!
Sometimes, especially when we or someone we love is in crisis it's hard to conjure up all of the smart things we know to do. This book is a great companion at times like that. It's great even if you are healthy and want to be prepared should the time come when surgery is necessary or the routine suddenly needs a specialist.
Information found in the chapters include, "Getting to Know You (Information that is important to convey to your doctor), How to choose the right doctor, How to Case a Hospital (choosing a safe hospital) Just What Gives You the Right (Patient Rights), What to expect if you have to schedule surgery, How to navigate insurance policies and what might show up that you didn't expect. The doctors explain the jargon of their industry and describe the different alternative and complimentary practices that can assist the body and mind during illness or recovery.
All of this is done in their usual funky style with cartoons and sidebars further fleshing out ideas and making it all easy to grasp.
The appendix also includes samples of forms you may have to or want to consider such as DNR or Do Not Resuscitate order, Power of Attorney for Health Care, a Living Will and more.
This book is like a consult with a healthcare system insider who has your best interest at heart.
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