Review of The Empowered Patient by Elizabeth Cohen

I love a book that begins by telling me how to be a "bad" patient. Because, when Elizabeth Cohen suggests we be bad patients, what she really means is that we need to be empowered.

If you ask most doctors or other providers what a "good" patient is, their reply will be based on their own point-of-view; that is - the patient will arrive on time, will do what he or she is told, won't ask too many questions, and will be sick or hurt with something that is easily billable.

Those patients are plentiful! Unfortunately, those patients aren't getting the care they need either. So to get the best care, Elizabeth insists we need to be bad.

As a senior medical correstpondent, and broadcaster of CNN's Empowered Patient, Elizabeth has several years worth of stories about how being "good" patients has caused many to suffer at the hands of the healthcare system.

In fact, it's her personal story of suffering - both her's and her baby's - that begins the book, providing an explanation for her passion for representing the Empowered Patient on CNN. Their experience was horrendous. I dare you to read it and not be outraged.

That story sets the stage for dozens more, all compelling, then used to teach us why and how to stick up for ourselves to get the care we need. From finding Dr. Right, to finding credible information on the Internet, to avoiding a misdiagnosis (http://patients.about.com/od/misdiagnosis/a/misdiagnosis.htmsounding very familiar) to taking on the insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and staying safe in the hospital, there's plenty of good advice.

While Elizabeth's advice is serious, her approach is not. Her book is easy to read, humorous at times, and a lot like potato chips - you just want to keep reading.

The Empowered Patient is a perfect patient empowerment primer. Read it yourself, then share it with others to get them started on the road to sticking up for themselves, too.