In the News: Issues in Patient Empowerment
A relatively new concept, patient empowerment has evolved as the practice of medicine has become more difficult to manage for both patients and practitioners. From the costs of health care, to the increase in medical errors, to literacy and politics, there are a number of issues being explained, addressed and argued in medicine today.
An Update on the 2009 Seasonal Flu
The flu season 2008 - 2009 continues with some concerns about which strains are affecting patients and one major drug which has been found to be resistant. Learn more about the seasonal 2009 flu.
The flu season 2008 - 2009 continues with some concerns about which strains are affecting patients and one major drug which has been found to be resistant. Learn more about the seasonal 2009 flu.
Flu 2009 - Resources to Help you With Seasonal Flu
Got the flu? Here is some information to help you get over your seasonal flu.
Got the flu? Here is some information to help you get over your seasonal flu.
Peanut Butter Recalls - FAQs About Peanut Butter and Salmonella
Peanut butter products have been recalled because Americans (and their pets) have contracted salmonella poisoning from eating them. What products are recalled? What products are safe? What should you do if you get sick?
Peanut butter products have been recalled because Americans (and their pets) have contracted salmonella poisoning from eating them. What products are recalled? What products are safe? What should you do if you get sick?
Where to Find Free and Low Cost Prescription Drugs
Check this master list of stores that offer free or low cost antibiotics, pre-natal vitamins, and hundreds of other generic drugs.
Check this master list of stores that offer free or low cost antibiotics, pre-natal vitamins, and hundreds of other generic drugs.
Natural or Herbal Weight Loss Drugs and Supplements - Contaminated and Dangerous
The FDA has determined that at least 28 "natural" or "herbal" weight loss drugs and supplements are contaminated with dangerous ingredients which may lead to debilitation or death. Find the most recent list of dangerous weight loss drugs and learn why they may harm you.
The FDA has determined that at least 28 "natural" or "herbal" weight loss drugs and supplements are contaminated with dangerous ingredients which may lead to debilitation or death. Find the most recent list of dangerous weight loss drugs and learn why they may harm you.
I Got a Flu Shot, So Why Did I Get the Stomach Flu?
Each year, many of us try to avoid getting a flu shot by explaining that we once got a flu shot, but we got the stomach flu anyway. Learn why this isn't a good excuse for avoiding a flu shot.
Each year, many of us try to avoid getting a flu shot by explaining that we once got a flu shot, but we got the stomach flu anyway. Learn why this isn't a good excuse for avoiding a flu shot.
Why Young, Healthy People Need Flu Shots
Each year, thousands die from the flu, even though they have been immunized. They die because those around them, including their loved ones, are carriers, even though they are asymptomatic. The answer is "herd immunity."
Each year, thousands die from the flu, even though they have been immunized. They die because those around them, including their loved ones, are carriers, even though they are asymptomatic. The answer is "herd immunity."
Understanding Healthcare Reform
The American healthcare system is dysfunctional. From politicians to patients, we hear cries for healthcare system reform. Learn what issues need to be addressed, and understand the various opinions about what the possible answers might be.
The American healthcare system is dysfunctional. From politicians to patients, we hear cries for healthcare system reform. Learn what issues need to be addressed, and understand the various opinions about what the possible answers might be.
Why the American Health Care System Needs Reform
We hear healthcare reform discussed continually in the media, and among our friends and co-workers, but why does the system need reform? What are the problems that need to be solved?
We hear healthcare reform discussed continually in the media, and among our friends and co-workers, but why does the system need reform? What are the problems that need to be solved?
The ADA - The Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) levels the playing field in the workplace providing for "reasonable accommodation." While this article has been written for patients with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, it's a good, broad overview of the act and provides information for anyone with a disability.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) levels the playing field in the workplace providing for "reasonable accommodation." While this article has been written for patients with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, it's a good, broad overview of the act and provides information for anyone with a disability.
Making the Medical Headlines Work for You
We see news headlines about new medical study results and wonder whether they can be helpful to us. Here is a way to analyze whether you can apply the findings to your own medical situations and whether or not you should discuss them with your doctor.
We see news headlines about new medical study results and wonder whether they can be helpful to us. Here is a way to analyze whether you can apply the findings to your own medical situations and whether or not you should discuss them with your doctor.
What Is Healthcare Rationing?
When we are denied the medical care we want or think we need, having a knowledge of the concept of healthcare rationing will go a long way toward helping us how to combat it. Understanding healthcare rationing will also help us understand conversations in the coming years about healthcare reform.
When we are denied the medical care we want or think we need, having a knowledge of the concept of healthcare rationing will go a long way toward helping us how to combat it. Understanding healthcare rationing will also help us understand conversations in the coming years about healthcare reform.
Learn About Medicare's 2008 Never Events Policy
October 1 will herald the implementation of Medicare's new never events policy. While it is intended to improve patient safety, there will be some consequences patients need to be aware of.
October 1 will herald the implementation of Medicare's new never events policy. While it is intended to improve patient safety, there will be some consequences patients need to be aware of.
We Learned Everything We Need to Know About Healthcare in Kindergarten
As millions of youngsters head off to kindergarten each Fall, we are reminded that some of the lessons they learn serve us well throughout our lifetimes. We can use them as an approach to our healthcare, too. Here are some of those lessons.
As millions of youngsters head off to kindergarten each Fall, we are reminded that some of the lessons they learn serve us well throughout our lifetimes. We can use them as an approach to our healthcare, too. Here are some of those lessons.
What Ethical, Legal and Moral Questions are Raised by Personalized Medicine?
With the development of genetic testing and personalized medicine come some very difficult questions about who owns one's personal genetic code, how private should it be, how it will be used and whether or not an individual should be tested. Understanding the questions will help us arrive at the best answers for society.
With the development of genetic testing and personalized medicine come some very difficult questions about who owns one's personal genetic code, how private should it be, how it will be used and whether or not an individual should be tested. Understanding the questions will help us arrive at the best answers for society.
What's With This Year's Flu? Flu 2008 Information
Even people who got flu shots are getting the flu this year (2008). Read this interview with Dr. Cynthia Morrow on why this year's flu has seemed more widespread than in other years.
Even people who got flu shots are getting the flu this year (2008). Read this interview with Dr. Cynthia Morrow on why this year's flu has seemed more widespread than in other years.
EMRs and PHRs - Digital Record Keeping for Patients
EMRs, Electronic Medical Records, and PHRs, personal health records, will soon be coming to a computer near you -- in your doctor's office, or your own home. Learn what they are, how you can control or review their information, and why they may, or may not, improve your health care.
EMRs, Electronic Medical Records, and PHRs, personal health records, will soon be coming to a computer near you -- in your doctor's office, or your own home. Learn what they are, how you can control or review their information, and why they may, or may not, improve your health care.
What Rights and Responsibilities Do Patients Have?
There are few real, legal rights afforded to American patients, but there are some that are unwritten, and there are important responsibilities that help maintain those rights.
There are few real, legal rights afforded to American patients, but there are some that are unwritten, and there are important responsibilities that help maintain those rights.
Patients' Responsibilities
There are few real, legal rights afforded to American patients. But there are some that are unwritten, and there are important responsibilities a paitent must take on to help maintain those rights.
There are few real, legal rights afforded to American patients. But there are some that are unwritten, and there are important responsibilities a paitent must take on to help maintain those rights.
Patients' Rights
There are few real legal rights afforded to American patients. However,there are some patients' rights that are unwritten, and there are important responsibilities that help maintain those rights.
There are few real legal rights afforded to American patients. However,there are some patients' rights that are unwritten, and there are important responsibilities that help maintain those rights.
The Healthcare Rights American Patients are Missing
Americans are often surprised to learn that there are certain rights they don't have when it comes to healthcare.
Americans are often surprised to learn that there are certain rights they don't have when it comes to healthcare.
Medical Errors -- Compromising Patient Safety
There are 28 medical errors that can occur in a hospital or medical care setting that should never happen. This is the master list of those errors from the National Quality Forum.
There are 28 medical errors that can occur in a hospital or medical care setting that should never happen. This is the master list of those errors from the National Quality Forum.
The Wise Patient's Guide to Patient Empowerment
Understanding the reasons for empowerment, and what it takes to be empowered will go a long way in helping you understand the benefits.
Understanding the reasons for empowerment, and what it takes to be empowered will go a long way in helping you understand the benefits.
The Patient Empowerment Movement
The roots of patient empowerment help us understand why being an empowered patient helps us find our best medical outcomes.
The roots of patient empowerment help us understand why being an empowered patient helps us find our best medical outcomes.
Issues in Patient Safety
The health and well-being of a patient can be violated by problems with patient safety. Drug errors, infections, surgeries gone awry and other mistakes can result in injuries to patients and even death.
The health and well-being of a patient can be violated by problems with patient safety. Drug errors, infections, surgeries gone awry and other mistakes can result in injuries to patients and even death.
The Institute of Medicine Report: To Err is Human
This watershed report from the US Institute of Medicine fueled the patient empowerment movement.
This watershed report from the US Institute of Medicine fueled the patient empowerment movement.
Where is Dr. Marcus Welby?
Heralded as the consummate example of the perfect family doctor, Marcus Welby, MD was a TV doctor who set the bar much higher than real doctors can possibly achieve.
Heralded as the consummate example of the perfect family doctor, Marcus Welby, MD was a TV doctor who set the bar much higher than real doctors can possibly achieve.