medical decision making
Black Box Warnings May Save Your Life
This often comes as a major surprise for patients: that when a prescription drug is known to be effective, and is approved by the FDA for some patients, that doesn’t mean it’s effective and safe for all patients. It’s true that some people may be allergic, or the drug might have been prescribed to treat…
Read MoreNo Diagnosis? It May Not Matter
Years ago I watched a movie called Serendipity. It starred Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. It was a “romcom” – and adorable – and it occurs to me that it sets the stage for today’s post. The story was about two young people who met in Bloomingdales while shopping, and through a series of events,…
Read MoreOK, But What’s the Question?
In my previous life as a speaker and writer on patient empowerment issues, I received email, even postal mail (meaning, yes, someone paid for a stamp!) from patients who were being challenged in some way by the healthcare system. Sometimes I would hear from 8 or 10 people in a week, 25, 30 or more…
Read MoreHow to Take Control of Your Medical Test Results
I’m not sure how it happened, but over the years, my medical appointments and tests all seem to have ended up as summer scheduled dates. Of course that means I’m waiting for test results in the summer, too. You know – all those annual or periodic things: bloodwork, mammogram, bone density, dentist, optometrist…. I also…
Read MoreSometimes the Doctor IS Wrong: How to Avoid Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis. This topic is very personal. In fact, over the years I have been affected by PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) because of a misdiagnosis that I experienced. But because it’s so personal, I may be the best person to share this lesson with you. My name is Trisha Torrey. Thirteen years ago this week,…
Read More“Do Not Quote Me”
A few years ago I was at a picnic with a friend who is an orthopedist. The question was raised about whether advice given by doctors is always in the best interests of the patient. “Do not quote me,” was how he began his reply. At least that alerted me that he would give an…
Read MoreMy Sibling Has Disabilities, My Parents Have Died – Now What?
This is such a difficult scenario, yet it happens every day. A child, perhaps mentally or physically disabled from birth, or one who might have suffered an accident earlier in life, grows into adulthood, having been cared for by very loving parents who did everything they could possibly do to care for their child. As…
Read MoreThe Dangers of Having Great Health Insurance
On occasion, in a conversation with new acquaintance, they’ll ask me what I do for a living. I tell them I established and run the most comprehensive directory of independent, private health and patient advocates and care managers online, supported by a marvelous professional organization whose members populate the directory. “Independent and private?” they ask…
Read MoreHow To Make Smart Medical Decisions After Getting Devastating News
Making smart medical decisions can be challenging at any time. Most patients don’t have medical training or experience making such decisions. But making decisions in the face of bad news can feel downright impossible. Jane M. — a smart, savvy, well-liked, well-respected business woman who supervises more than 100 people at work, and who juggles…
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