YOU: The Smart Patient: An Insider's Handbook for Getting the Best Treatment

This book appeared in my life (via airport bookstore) by chance just before a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Because this book is a strong advocate of advocating for yourself in the medical system, and because it is put out by The Joint Commission, an establishment medical group and because it strongly advocates getting a second or third opinion -- I had the courage and the how-to knowledge to find the best treatment for me.The first surgeon recommended "the standard" -- removing the entire thyroid, giving my whole body so much radiation even hospital personnel would not be allowed in my room for days, requiring thyroid replacement drugs for the rest of my life, and discontinuing it once every six months, causing a twice-yearly depression. I ended up with only the part with the cancer lump removed, and therefore no radiation at all, and enough thyroid gland left to adjust and supply what I need -- so no medication, and no depression. Thyroid medication is notoriously tricky to get adjusted correctly -- but my own body has done it perfectly. This was in 2006 and I am still cancer-free. As the second surgeon said, "So you want to know what the extra risk is if you only have the cancer removed? None. Because if that doesn't work, you can still go back and so the standard treatment." Even I have to someday -- I have had six+ years of good health with no need for medications. My life would have been so much more difficult had I gone with the first surgeon's recommended "standard of care" treatment.It was a lot more work -- at first. I took two weeks off work and studied my options. It would have been easier to just do what the surgeon said. But in the end, my quality of life is sooo much better than if I had not had this book to cheer me on and give me the courage and tools to find the best care for me.UPDATE, May 2017 -- Still cancer free, still no meds, still feeling great! Still grateful this book gave me the guts to advocate for myself!

Informative

As a well informed patient I am still lacking when it comes to communication with my Dr. I have a ton of medical issues and was looking for Doctor-patient relationship tips as well as handling with issues with front desk staff.As anyone who has had a major medical issue knows 1/2 the battle can be with front desk errors and scheduling.How do you handle a Dr who just doesn't understand your pain or doesn't take you seriously ?How do you handle you're Dr when he is the only one who really knows your history but things are just not working ?How can you make a grumpy uninterested Dr. like you ?What rights do you have when things go wrong with your Dr or the office staff ?For Chronic Pain sufferers. What rights do you have to getting help with pain ?Can a Dr. tell you he doesn't think you need anything and leave you to suffer in agony.

The advice in this book has been invaluable. Covers being a smart, informed patient in doctor's office or hospital; how to choose a doctor, hospital, ER, etc.; checklists to cover with doctors; valid patient concerns about hospital care and cleanliness; and where to complain if the need arises. Though I first bought the book as a future reference, I soon had real-life use of it with two unexpected hospitalizations and an unusual medical condition on which several specialists had somewhat different opinions. This guide helped me become informed enough to understand and navigate treatment alternatives primarily by asking the right questions (which the book provides in checklists). I'd typically ask the checklist questions after the doctor's advice during a visit, and it's amazing what would not have been told to me had I not done this. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to be well informed and in control of his/her healthcare.

This is an essential book for every one to read. We are all patients in the hosspital and need to know the correct questions to ask if we are the patient or being an advocate for a patient. I spent 23 days in the hospital from an appendectimy and toooo many complications. My daughter became my advocate. You need to have one today. I almost died from complications that should never have happened. I was told that I could only bring legal action against the two Dr's if I had perment damage.

Its a great book giving ideas of how to gain control over your own health care & be an advocate for yourself in a polite respectable manner towards the medical team.It presents ideas with humor, along with identifying faults, problems, facts about the healthcare systems.I purchases this book the very week I Realized I will be seeing doctors often due to health concerns and I could already see that not much would be done if I didn't push for it. You the patient have to care for yourself & be smart.This book was very helpfulEva D

I bought this based on the authors' previous work, "YOU: The Owner's Manual...," and their work in Reader's Digest. This is a great book that provides lots of "insider secrets" to getting better care from your health-care professionals, and it's not limited to hospital stays. The authors write in a very conversational tone and don't "talk down" to the reader. They also don't come across as thinking they are better than the reader because they are doctors. I found some real jewels in this book, so please don't buy it. The fewer people who know and apply the information provided in this book, the better it is for the rest of us. If everyone started doing what these guys say to do, it wouldn't give anyone the inside track!

When I read this book I liked the advice to prepare a medical history, including all medications, ahead of time. It made a lot of sense, especially because my handwriting is barely legible even to me. Most doctors' offices forms ask all the same questions, and with the guidance of the book, you can come up with a pretty thorough listing. My doctors loved having it all listed, legibly, and I loved not having to fill out all those lines of too tiny spaces.

Although mostly USA based info I found it very helpful for my upcoming surgery

Interesting but 100% for the American medical environment..

Very useful information great buy