Telemedicine is all over the news right now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has dramatically increased its use. But even before this outbreak, telemedicine filled a need for many patients, including those who were geographically isolated, too sick to travel, or without transportation. There are countless other reasons that make traveling to the doctor […]
Archive | Communicating with Your Healthcare Team
Understanding Medical Information Is Harder Than Most Realize
“You don’t know what you don’t know.” It might be a tired adage, but it really applies to navigating the medical world. Certainly, you need to understand health information for the best chance of a good outcome. But understanding medical information is harder than most realize. One’s ability to understand health information is formally called […]
Electronic Health Records Add to Doctors’ Stress
It has become a common sight – doctors with their laptops or tablets, conversing with patients while navigating through EHRs (Electronic Health Records), searching and typing. Does the widespread use of Electronic Health Records add to doctors’ stress? EHRs have certainly impacted the type of interactions we have with our doctors. Do EHRs make it […]
Electronic Health Records Problems
We’re all accustomed to seeing our doctors use their computer or tablet during appointments and in the hospital since electronic health records (EHRs) are widely used. Is this a good development? Is the information in EHRs accurate? Do EHRs add to doctor stress, potentially impacting care? Although there are clear advantages of EHRs, there are […]
Is There Gender Bias in Medicine?
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 […]
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. But having a conversation with your doctor is often hard. Your doctor may use medical terms you can’t understand. And with time-squeezed appointments, doctors often rush and/or interrupt patients. On top of all this, when you’re […]
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 […]
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 […]