As much as we’d like to believe otherwise, men and women are not treated equally. According to the ACLU, “ongoing struggles include ensuring equal economic opportunities, educational equity, and an end to gender-based violence.” But did you know that women are more likely to be misdiagnosed? Or that women may not receive the most effective […]
Archive | Communicating with Your Healthcare Team
10 Tips to Communicate Better with Doctors
How you communicate with your doctor impacts your health. It can even make a difference between life and death. Research has found that patients who effectively communicate with their doctors make more appropriate medical decisions and have better health outcomes. Use these 10 tips to communicate better with doctors to help you get the best care and […]
The Benefits of Participating in Hospital Rounds
I’ve been shouting this message from my rooftop for years* – patients who communicate effectively and actively engage in their care have better outcomes and a reduced risk of medical errors. However, for hospitalized patients, this can be tricky. Ideally, doctors would include patients and/or family members in their daily “rounds” conversations. But, not all hospitals […]
Five Benefits of Telemedicine
Perhaps there is no specialist near you who can treat your condition. Maybe you are frail and weak, and therefore can’t manage a trip to the doctor’s office. Or, perhaps you don’t have transportation, can’t find affordable transportation, can’t get out of work, or have caregiving responsibilities. There are countless reasons that make traveling to […]
Should you Speak Up if You Think Your Doctor is Wrong? YES!
Would you speak up if a waiter brought you a hamburger, but you ordered fish? Would you speak up if the bagger at the grocery store put cans of soup on top of a loaf of bread in your bag? I am guessing that most of us would speak up in these circumstances. After all, […]
How Can You Get the Best Healthcare? Actively Participate!
I was surprised to learn recently that a large percent of patients are “passive spectators” of their own healthcare. Passive patients rely on their doctor’s experience and knowledge. As a result, they “sit back” and let the experience happen to them. Why is this important? Because your health can suffer if you don’t engage in […]
Is a DNR a Good Idea for You or a Loved One?
I know that I don’t want machines to keep me alive for months or years if I am in a coma or vegetative state. And if I am at the end of my life, suffering with no chance of getting better, I don’t want radical medical interventions that will prolong my suffering. I am guessing […]
What’s a Health Information Exchange and How Does it Help Patients?
Most doctors use Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to record notes during and after appointments, and to keep digital records of patient-related care, including test results. Digital records have many advantages over paper records but are far from perfect. EHRs are time consuming for doctors and can negatively impact the quality of the doctor-patient interaction during appointments. […]
Learn a Lesson From Serena Williams: Trust Your Instincts When it Comes to Your Health
By zaggocare on February 26, 2018 in Communicating with Your Healthcare Team, Medical Errors, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Speaking up can reduce your risk of a misdiagnosis! Have you ever felt that your doctor isn’t listening to you? Have you had your concerns brushed aside? Are you wondering how you can reduce your risk of a misdiagnosis? It happens in doctors’ offices, emergency departments and hospital rooms – patients have a sense of […]
Outpatient Medical Errors: Patient Safety Concerns Are Not Only for Hospitals.
By zaggocare on February 5, 2018 in Communicating with Your Healthcare Team, Managing Healthcare, Medical Errors
Do you know how to reduce your risk of medical errors at your doctor’s office? There’s been quite a bit in the news the past few years about safety in hospitals. Yet you don’t hear about the dangers patients face in doctor offices, urgent care centers, day surgical centers and even their homes. Do you […]