The Essential Patient Handbook: Getting the Health Care You Need - From Doctors Who Know

The Essential Patient Handbook was written for the millions of Americans who are dissatisfied with their medical care and are looking for a practical no-nonsense way to get the help they need from their Doctors. It contains lessons learned by two Doctors (husband and wife) who endured immense challenges on the patient side of the medical care system. Here are the secrets to:getting your Doctor to listenPreparing information your Doctor needs to knowUnderstanding the reasoning behind your Doctor's questionsAsking the essential questions about tests, diagnoses, medications, surgery and second opinionsChecking for medication side effects and drug interactionsDealing with confusing insurance and billing formsWorking with your Doctor when considering alternative and complementary medicinesHandling difficult Doctor-patient interactionsDealing with a hospital stayThe Essential Patient Handbook will walk readers through the entire medical evaluation process, from the first question to the last. It gives them a guide to thoroughly prepare medical information before seeing a Doctor and explains why each piece of information is crucial. The information prepared with the aid of this book are symptom-specific and will help Physicians to arrive at a differential diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is established, it will help readers prepare further information that your Doctors need to learn to remain on top of your medical condition.