Heathcare issues continue to dominate top of mind awareness with daily newspaper headlines about reform weekly and even daily. Despite all of the wrangling on Capitol Hill, I believe patient care is the real issue at stake.

I recently participated in a conference for broadcasters at our local public television station. It brought together great leaders and minds, including the dean of a medical school, president of a hospital corporation, vice president of a large pharmaceutical company and representatives from national businesses. Unfortunately, insurance was not represented, which would have completed an area of great interest in this debate. Topics including how to produce a better outcome for patients, increase the quality in healthcare and improve the doctor patient relationship, were discussed at length.

Did we find answers and ideas? Sure. How can a consumer come up with a plan of action to take accountability for their own healthcare in this complex system with a lot of history?

This is my first blog related to my newest book, Sick of Doctors? Then do something about it! A Prescription for Patient Empowerment. After taking a personal interest in the healthcare system I spent five years researching, interviewing and reading. Then, at the age of 75, I started acting on what I learned to become a better patient. It’s working!

The book being released in Indiana this March 2010 guides readers how to navigate the healthcare system to have better outcomes.  It is my goal to help people become better-informed consumers of medical services.  Patient empowerment is a pre-requisite as we strive toward better doctor patient relationships to form a true partnership.

Anything less will defeat any efforts made to regulate the industry

I invite you to join me as I write about the ins and outs of healthcare I’ve discovered to become a better consumer in the system. Tell us your stories, too, by commenting on the regular blog posts.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 10:18 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

It isn’t a secret that obesity often has deadly consequences. We’re all aware that there is an increased risk of diabetes as well as heart disease. But the bad news doesn’t end there. Obesity now costs 17 percent of the total health bill amounting to at least $2,800 more per year for an obese person.

The actual cost of obesity may be as high as $8,000 for women because they may earn less in the workplace than their “slim sisters.” (more)

While growing up on a farm in southern Indiana, I don’t recall ever hearing the word “retire.” Farmers just kept on until they dropped. Well, that isn’t exactly the truth-there was often a son who took over the actual farming while Dad and Mom continued to live out their days in their old farm home.

Nowadays, retirement is on everyone’s lips if they are heading into their 60s. Recently an article from US News listed the seven secrets of a happy (more)

Have you or a loved one ever had to deal with a medical crisis? Lucky you, if you haven’t. Most of us older citizens have had this experience.

Mine was when my husband awakened me early one morning to tell me that he was suffering severe chest pains. He was already dressed and told me that he was driving himself to the emergency room.

We all know that the ONLY way to handle this situation is to call 911. Never, under any (more)