Unfortunately, gender bias in medicine is a real thing and can impact your health. As much as we’d like to believe otherwise, men and women are not treated equally. Did you know that women are more likely to be misdiagnosed? Or that women may not receive the most effective treatment? Importantly, almost all of us […]
Communicating with Your Healthcare Team
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 […]
Should you Speak Up if You Think Your Doctor is Wrong? YES!
Should you speak up if you think your doctor is wrong? As intimidating as that might feel, it might help you get the best care and outcome, while reducing your risk of problems. I think it’s safe to say that many of us would speak up if a waiter brought us a hamburger when we […]
Is a DNR a Good Idea for You or a Loved One?
Is a DNR a good idea? I know 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 […]
What’s a Health Information Exchange? 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. However, we don’t have a universal EHR system in the US. EHRs often can’t communicate with each other, leaving doctors without all the information they need for each patient. Health […]
