The Bottom Line
Chuck faced a misdiagnosed cancer, two lost years in which treatment would have saved him, and an insurance company unwilling to pay costs. His wife Laura, a pediatrician with thirty years of experience, became his Sentinel, a patient advocate. They got a second opinion, but after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, Chuck passed away at home, three years after his misdiagnosis.
Laura Nathanson now shares her hard-earned expertise in her book, “What You Don’t Know Can Kill You.” Without any medical training, you can avoid possible medical disasters, and work within the health system for the best possible results.
Laura Nathanson now shares her hard-earned expertise in her book, “What You Don’t Know Can Kill You.” Without any medical training, you can avoid possible medical disasters, and work within the health system for the best possible results.
Pros
- Compelling personal story
- A passion to prevent medical disasters
- Clear advice in plain english
- Easy-to-use worksheets
- Case examples presented with empathy for patients
Cons
- Caregivers may initially be intimidated by the work plan
- Reading the example medical reports may be overwhelming
Description
- Learn how to reduce those medical reports to understandable English and then act on the information.
- See how to communicate effectively with doctors and nurses, even when a health crisis is being left untended.
- Become the Sentinel for your loved one, helping them navigate a hospital stay, even if the facility is understaffed.
- Write an effective letter to your health-care plan, if they are not helping with out-of-network expenses.
- Great glossary of medical terms and mini-glossary of medical abbreviations which may appears on your medical reports.
- Laura Nathanson is author of three childcare books, and has been named in the peer-selected list of Best Doctors in America.
Guide Review - What You Don’t Know Can Kill You, by Laura Nathanson, M.D.
A Physician's Radical Guide to Conquering the Obstacles to Excellent Medical Care
Modern medical care is both a blessing and a curse –- more diseases can be effectively treated, but getting through the system can be hazardous. Dr. Laura Nathanson shows patients and their loved ones how to take charge and prevent misdiagnosis and other problems facing patients and caregivers.
You can take charge of your medical care
Health care often consists of working your way through a series of specialists, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and insurance staff. But all these health-care professionals don’t always talk to each other about your condition. You can learn how to:
When a health crisis looms, there is no time to head for medical school and bone up on your condition. Your health-care team will be using many medical terms and generating lots of paperwork. What can you do with all those records? This book shows you how to reduce a pile of lab reports, imaging studies, and clinical physician narratives into an understandable, useful tool, which helps you understand, make decisions, and head off potential problems.
Know Your Patient Rights
Dr. Nathanson gives you an explanation of your rights as a patient. She talks about HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act) and tells you how to get your medical records. She also provides worksheets to guide you through the process of collecting, sorting, and decoding the paperwork.
Be A Sentinel
A Sentinel is a patient advocate, a critical partner in navigating care. Learn how to help when a hospital is understaffed, and how to speak up. You may save a life.
Modern medical care is both a blessing and a curse –- more diseases can be effectively treated, but getting through the system can be hazardous. Dr. Laura Nathanson shows patients and their loved ones how to take charge and prevent misdiagnosis and other problems facing patients and caregivers.
You can take charge of your medical care
Health care often consists of working your way through a series of specialists, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and insurance staff. But all these health-care professionals don’t always talk to each other about your condition. You can learn how to:
- understand medical reports and check for fuzzy logic
- effectively communicate about your condition
- avoid problems during your hospital stay
- navigate your health-care plan
When a health crisis looms, there is no time to head for medical school and bone up on your condition. Your health-care team will be using many medical terms and generating lots of paperwork. What can you do with all those records? This book shows you how to reduce a pile of lab reports, imaging studies, and clinical physician narratives into an understandable, useful tool, which helps you understand, make decisions, and head off potential problems.
Know Your Patient Rights
Dr. Nathanson gives you an explanation of your rights as a patient. She talks about HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act) and tells you how to get your medical records. She also provides worksheets to guide you through the process of collecting, sorting, and decoding the paperwork.
Be A Sentinel
A Sentinel is a patient advocate, a critical partner in navigating care. Learn how to help when a hospital is understaffed, and how to speak up. You may save a life.
