NPR:Excellent book "How Doctors Think"

[krashleen]

This book is a must read. Give it a read, for those of us that deal with doctors that have a hard time diagnosing us, treating us wrongly, that don't see the 'zebra' in the room, treat us with the most expensive drugs, want to do the most expensive of treatments and most expensive surgeries.
Billing everything. Dr Groopman addresses most of it.

Kinda of hits home.

here is an Amazon.com blurb from the book..interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/How-Doctors-Think-Jerome-Groopman/dp/0618610030/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-5495271-6897549?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193173491&sr=8-1

[BrokenBladder]

Thanks for the information on this book. I will save it and buy it when the funds are available for me to do so. Thanks.

[krashleen]

Maybe the local public library has it? I have put my name on the list as wanting to check it out, and then they notify me when its available.

[debhun]

Maybe the local public library has it? I have put my name on the list as wanting to check it out, and then they notify me when its available.


I think I will do the same thing thanks.

Deb

[GJZH]

I have been reading this book....It is great insight into how docs think...I recommend it for all to read...

[krashleen]

GJZH, kinda makes you squirm a bit..it did me when I think of some of things/procedures that I have undergone with doctors that were just looking to make money.
I realize that I have to advocate for myself, but now, NOW I will make sure I am educated in regards to my care, my choice of doctors.
don't you think you will do the same?

[Sara1979]

I ordered it last week. I can't wait to get it.

[krashleen]

Let me know what you think of it Sara. I am interested to hear others opinions.

[Sara1979]

I'll definitely let everyone know how it is. I usually read a book in a day or two so now just waiting on Amazon.

[ryansridge]

Thanks for the "heads up" on this book - will try to find a copy of it - sounds interesting!

[noxxilla]

Hi! I checked on amazon: the book is about to be released as a more affordable paperback, the price on amazon will be 15.95...and usually soon after you will find really cheap used copies on amzon, or on other sites.:D

in any case, it sounds like I really need to read this book! I am mad at my primary care physician and everyone else...:mad: -long story...some other time...

[Sara1979]

To start, after looking through Amazon Reviews I am definitely in the minority but I don't feel like this book told me anything I didn't already know. He discusses how Doctors make snap decisions and use formularies to diagnose patients and how they are ineffective 15-20% of the time. He discussed the types of prejudices a Doctor has when seeing Patients with certain problems. To personalize for us, what CP'er at some point hasn't had a Doctor look at a prescription list and immediately been treated like a crack addict?

He also did one of many case studies in the first few pages and within minutes I knew exactly what was wrong with this person. Perhaps, too much time researching lots of medical information on my part. He broke down the problems of the system but did not give a lot of alternatives on how to really fix the problem. A suggestion such as asking your Doctor "Do you think there could be more than one problem causing my symptoms?" Wasn't really helpful to me. I don't really see that as being a ground breaking moment of truth for a Doctor to look outside the box either.

Bottom line, I feel like I have to go into all of my appts prepared and well researched with suggestions of my own to have a successful visit. As the book stated Doctors are under a lot of pressure to see a lot of Patients in a small amount of time. So it is up to me (IMHO) to be up to date on the latest information so I can work with my Physician rather than have him "try stuff out" especially those of us with conditions that are not an easy XYZ Answer.

It was an interesting read but I don't think he told me anything I hadn't experienced first hand a multitude of times. Perhaps, for the average person that hasn't had the misfortune of seeing a large amount of Docs and Specialists this would be more helpful but for me personally it didn't tell me how I could personally receive better overall care. Just a collection of anecdotal stories on what can and does go wrong and why.

[JAVISI]

Dear Friends,
I am going to buy the book. It really sounds interesting. I have worked with many Dr's over the years as a Registered Nurse. Some good and some bad. I have seen the Dr's that work especially in the ER that beleive almost everyone is a drug seeker. I also have been treated that way.:(

I have seen many Dr's with the complex illness that I have. If they are not willing to do a quick reading up on the illness then they will do me no good, because they do not and will not understand my problems.:rolleyes:

I have learned that once my illness was diagnosed. I went to a bigger hospital with specialists and received some times good sometimes bad care. I have settled in with a pulmonologist that I really like along with a gastro Dr that has a caring and understanding approach in caring for me. I have found that I have gotten better care in the smaller town that I live in. With the Dr's I worked with. They seem to investigate more. The know me personally and know that I am not a drug seeker or abuser. They know me for me and my personality. They also know how painful it was for me to have to quit working.:(

I have been through a lot of Dr's and if I didn't like them I didn't go back. It is true, we have to be our own advocate. I realize working in the healthcare feild I may have a different veiw than others but I am also a chronically ill person that has been treated badly by Dr's too. It is a frustrating situation to be in when you have a chronic illness and chronic pain. I think most of us can relate on that level.:confused:

Thanks for the information on the book, I am excited to get it and to start reading it Information is inpowering! Thanks again!:D
Dreaming Big and Reaching for the Stars, Javisi;)

[krashleen]

Thanks Sara, I appreciate your input.

I however, viewed it a bit differently...I saw it as an opportunity, well for the author of course to make money.

I didn't always go into my doc's appt's armed and informed.

I also learned a lot about the way they as medical practioners think, the way they 'do' their business of medicine. I didn't know. It is business, pure and simple and the more we as patients are on the same page and are informed as you say, the better treatment we will get.

It was helpful for me.

[JAVISI]

Krashleen,
I really never thought about it this way until I really got ill! I think of Dr's , just like I do mechanices only mechanics fix cars and Dr's fix people. You wouldn't keep taking your car to a mechanic if he was doing nothing to fix it. If you did you would fire him. I beleive that we should fire a Dr if he is not proprely caring for us!

A friend shared this analogy with me when I went to a Neuro that was treating me for a seizure disorder I did not have and basically ws telling me he could do nothing else for me. He just gave up! I switched to a Neuro at a teaching hospital That wanted to get down to business and find a correct dianosis. He did! No he did not cure me but I finally know what I am up against!

Dreaming Big and Reaching for the Stars, Javisi;)