A few days ago, I finished reading The Empowered Patient, by Julia Hallisy. Among all the books I've read that provide practical, useful advice for patients, this is one of the best.
I wrote a review of the book. Then I invited Dr. Hallisy to participate in the Patient Empowerment Forum -- like a virtual book signing perhaps? She has graciously agreed to do so.
Yes, I said Dr. Hallisy -- but she is not an MD or DO. (She's a dentist.) Sometimes I find doctors who tell me that THEY know best how to advocate for patients because they know the system. Some of them have written books, too. So far I have not found one of those books that really "gets" the patient point of view. Someone with years of medical training and experience can't ever subtract their insider knowledge.
Julia didn't have insider knowledge. Instead, she learned what she wrote about when her baby, Kate, was born with bilateral retinoblastoma. Kate survived for a dozen years, but might not have lived as long as she did if her mother hadn't battled the system through medical errors, miscommunications and more. She wrote her book to help smooth that road for all patients who are faced with difficult illness and need a handbook to get through the system challenges.
So this is your invitation to join Julia Hallisy in the Forum. Whether or not you have read The Empowered Patient, you're invited to ask questions, see if she has suggestions for your navigation problems -- whatever you'd like.
We look forward to seeing you there.
