Health /Medical Consumerism

Why Does the US Have the Worst Rate of Preventable Deaths Among Industrialized Nations?

1 Comment / Health /Medical Consumerism, Health Insurance, Healthcare Quality, Media, Medical and Research Studies, Medical Errors / Mistakes / Misdiagnosis, Patient Advocacy, Patient Empowerment, Patient Safety, Patient Tools, Self Help

From 2002 to 2003, about 101,000 Americans died from preventable causes ranging from diabetes to bacterial infections and surgical complications, so says a study releases this week. The reports are based on results from a study undertaken by the Commonwealth Fund, a private New York City based health policy foundation. The study took place among […]

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MRSA: Victimization and Shooting the Messenger

8 Comments / Doctor Communication, Health /Medical Consumerism, Health Insurance, Healthcare Quality, Hospitals, Patient Advocacy, Patient Empowerment, Patient Safety, Patient Tools, Self Help, Surgery

Yesterday’s post, where I told the stories of three (+2) victims of MRSA infections, raised ire, blame and excuses from commentators and emailers alike. Never mind that they were stories of five people who are infected with MRSA, one of whom has basically been left to die. Never mind that the frustration levels of these

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Why Your Doctor Won’t Help You

1 Comment / Doctor Communication, Health /Medical Consumerism, Health Insurance, Healthcare Quality, Medical Records, Patient Empowerment

Notice that the title doesn’t say “can’t Help You.” It says “won’t.” There’s a big difference. CPT codes are the stuff a doctor’s practice is made from. I know — you thought patients were the basis for a physician practice, but no, CPT codes are more important than patients — even though I can guarantee

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Why Your Doctor Won’t Help You

Doctor Communication, Health /Medical Consumerism, Health Insurance, Healthcare Quality, Medical Records, Patient Empowerment

Notice that the title doesn’t say “can’t Help You.” It says “won’t.” There’s a big difference. CPT codes are the stuff a doctor’s practice is made from. I know — you thought patients were the basis for a physician practice, but no, CPT codes are more important than patients — even though I can guarantee

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When Your Doctor Fakes You Out

7 Comments / Doctor Communication, Health /Medical Consumerism, Healthcare Quality, Medical and Research Studies, Medical Errors / Mistakes / Misdiagnosis, Patient Empowerment, Patient Safety, Patient Tools

Empowered patients will be interested in a report today on the study results of a survey of Chicago area internists (family doctors). It seems that 45% of them see nothing wrong in prescribing placebos — fake sugar pills — for their patients. The report actually tiptoes around what the results really mean. The spinmeisters had

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How Supermarket Purchases Violate Your Privacy and Increase the Cost of Insurance

4 Comments / Health /Medical Consumerism, Health Insurance, Patient Empowerment, Patient Tools, Self Help

It’s cold and wintery. Time to hunker down with plenty of comfort food and a toddy or two… and while we’re at the store, let’s pick up a bottle of aspirin, some stomach acid medicine, and maybe even plenty of dog food for the rottweiler…. A swipe of both your store’s loyalty card (gotta get

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Dad — an Empowered Patient Sets a Fine Example

Health /Medical Consumerism, Healthcare Quality, Media, Medical Errors / Mistakes / Misdiagnosis, Patient Advocacy, Patient Empowerment, Patient Tools, Pharmaceutical Drugs

…. and today is his 81st birthday. When people ask me how and why I began doing patient advocacy and empowerment work, I first tell them about my misdiagnosis, and then I tell them it’s because I learned how to be an empowered patient from my dad. Since beginning his battle with cancer in 1986

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Dad — an Empowered Patient Sets a Fine Example

Health /Medical Consumerism, Healthcare Quality, Media, Patient Advocacy, Patient Empowerment, Patient Tools, Pharmaceutical Drugs

…. and today is his 81st birthday. When people ask me how and why I began doing patient advocacy and empowerment work, I first tell them about my misdiagnosis, and then I tell them it’s because I learned how to be an empowered patient from my dad. Since beginning his battle with cancer in 1986

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Trisha Torrey →←
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