The Empowered Patient

The Empowered Patient
Dr. Julia A. Hallisy
Bold Spirit Press
ISBN: 978-0-6151-7791-5
Non-Fiction, Health
Reviewed by Dr. Tami Brady

“As many as 98, 000 Americans die each year as a result of medical error.” How very alarming! Even more so considering that this number almost equals the number of deaths attributed to motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, and AIDS, combined.
As consumers, we have all learned to do our research and ask questions when it comes to buying products. Unfortunately, when it comes to health care, most of us don’t even know where to start. We have been conditioned to believe that doctors are somewhat God-like. We feel we can’t question them because it would show our ignorance. We believe that as doctors they know exactly what to do and we don’t need to concern ourselves.
The hard truth is that doctors are just people. They get tired and make mistakes. The overloaded healthcare system has increased the possibility of error and potential problems. More often than not, your family doctor will send you to a specialist for most things. If you have to have surgery, this specialist probably won’t be there either. A team of individuals, with various levels of training and experience, will be responsible for your care.
Pick up a copy of The Empowered Patient. It contains invaluable information that everyone needs to know. It demystifies the medical system and tells us which questions to ask our doctors, nurses, and other medical staff members.