5 out of 5 stars
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Ann M. Hester. M.D. is a medical doctor with over 25 years of working experience. In her book, Patient Empowerment 101, she takes her readers on an adventure into the medical world, equipping them with all they need to know about the doctor-patient relationship. At the moment, the number of doctors available to treat citizens is unbalanced, putting a heavy burden on medical practitioners. They have many patients to deal with, coupled with other personal responsibilities. As a result, to get the most out of each consultation, one must be well-informed on specific topics. Discover in this book how to be empowered as a patient and how to effectively manage your resources and time.
The simplicity of this book is one thing that I like about it. No ambiguous words were used, and where medical terms appeared, they were well-explained. I agree with the author that everyone must have basic medical knowledge, as this can be helpful when we least expect it. I felt it when the author explained the need for having a well-compiled list of questions and answers before meeting the doctor. Her explanation of how the list can help the doctor narrow down what to do and avoid unnecessary tests, reducing costs and saving time, was eye-opening. There are so many things we don't count or take note of, like what we were doing when we noticed a particular pain or feeling. After reading this book, I realized that every little thing counts.
The author made available different graphical charts based on the context of each chapter, which helps empower one as a patient. Some of these charts include the medical history form and specific questions about common medical problems, amongst others. The author also incorporates a list of sites readers can visit to learn more about their health and a direct link to her webpage, where these charts can be printed. The author addressed all classes of people, those with medical insurance, those without insurance, and those underinsured. There are tons of things to learn from reading this book, and it is worth every second spent reading it.
This book has nothing that I dislike about it. It is an educational book that covers all one needs to know about one's health. At the end of each chapter, there are quiz questions to test the reader's understanding and a medical quote from an experienced medical practitioner well known to the author to complement each topic discussed. Also, at the end of the book are explanations of different medical terms, which make it easier to understand.
The book was exceptionally well-edited, as I didn't find any errors. This book is not a one-time read; it is a book that must be read repeatedly, as it is well-written. Due to these reasons, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars because it is well deserving of it.
I recommend this book to medical practitioners, counsellors, people with health conditions, and everyone who sees their health as of utmost importance.
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Patient Empowerment 101
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