Authors: Patricia Raya RN MBA, Patricia Raya, Corine A. Mogenis
ISBN-13: 9781873413395, ISBN-10: 1873413394
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Merit Publishing International, Incorporated
Date Published: April 2008
Edition: (Non-applicable)
Book Synopsis
This book aims to prepare and inform you on how to better respond to catastrophic medical situations and urges people to take charge of their medical care and become a vital part of their medical provider team. Medical Tips From The Inside will explain why information about the quality of health care is important, how to gather information about physicians and other medical providers, and how to analyze and prioritize your own health care situation. Education is the key to getting the best and most appropriate healthcare possible and this book will show you in a simple way how to become a better advocate for your healthcare and how to take control of your medical decisions. Armed with this knowledge, you will be better prepared to understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis.
Table of Contents
Preface/Introduction 1
Patient's Bill of Rights, Advanced Directives, DNR 3
The Changing Healthcare Industry 9
Choosing Elements of Your Health Care 11
Choosing your medical coverage 11
Choosing your doctor 13
Preventing Medical Errors 15
What is a medical error? 15
How to avoid medical errors 15
What to Do If You Are Diagnosed With An Illness/Disease 19
Communication with Peers 21
Patient education 24
Major teaching hospitals/Treatment centers 24
Internet 36
Library/Bookstore 39
Support groups 40
Obtaining Your Medical Records 43
Types of records 44
How to request your records 45
What to do if a physician/facility is non-compliant 45
Importance of Participating in Your Healthcare 47
A good partnership with your doctor 47
Making educated and informed decisions 48
Understanding your decision and the consequences 49
What To Ask Your Doctor Before You Have Surgery 53
What surgery are you recommending? 53
Why? 54
Are there alternatives to the surgery? 54
What are the benefits of having this surgery? 55
What are the risks of this operation? 55
What will happen if i don't have the operation? 56
How about a second opinion? 56
What is your experience with this operation? 57
Where will I have this operation? 58
What kind of anesthesia will be used? 58
How long will it take me to recover? 60
What is the cost of the operation? 60
Caring for the Young 63
Choosing a Pediatrician 63
The Pharmacist and your child's medication 64
Women's Health Issues 67
Yearly gynecological screenings 67
Checking credentials of your mammography technician 68
'Abnormal' test results - options 69
Abnormal PAP smear results 70
Classifications and follow-up testing 73
Cervical cancer 75
Breast cancer 80
Mammograms 80
Abnormal mammograms 82
Needle biopsies 82
Management of biopsy results 83
Ultrasound 84
Prostate Cancer 87
Herbal Medicine 91
Benefits 91
Prescription medication interaction 91
Caring for the Elderly 95
Choosing a doctor 95
Considering surgery? 97
Assisted living v. nursing home 98
Residents' Rights 100
The Ombudsman Program 102
Protecting the rights of the elderly 103
Medical Tourism 105
Reliable Medical Care for the International Traveler 107
Comparing Healthcare in the United State and Europe 111
A Sampling of Healthcare Around the World:
Australia 113
Canada 114
France 115
Germany 117
India 118
Italy 119
Japan 120
United Kingdom 122
Summary 131
References 133
Subjects