Recently I found out that I have a health condition that has few symptoms or warning signs.  My family doctor caught the clues in the results of a blood sample, and referred me to a specialist.  I feel a bit like a pinball being bounced around from doctors to labs to hospital.  In the end, who is really concerned about MY health?  ME!   I am still unsure about the decisions being made and the recommendations from my doctor.   In a society that tends to cater to the victim, The Take-Charge Patient empowers ME to be proactive in finding the best medical care I can get. I received this book to review.  The Take-Charge Patient provides insider information that is a powerful resource for patients and caregivers alike.  This book was really inspiring for me.  It encouraged me to take the initiative and not to be afraid to be my own advocate.  I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to take charge of his/her medical care, whether by necessity or as a preventative measure.

Reading The Take-Charge Patient is like being an observer at dozens of doctor’s visits or conversations.  The margins and footers are filled with quotes and tips from health professionals and patients.  The table of contents is a great way to get started—find a chapter that applies to you and be ready with a highlighter, because there will definitely be some information you’ll want to remember.  You can download the first chapter to see  just what I mean!

Some of the suggestions are simple, such as keeping a copy of your medical records.  Maybe everyone else in the world does that, but I don’t.  It just never dawned on me that I might need them.  Then I remembered last year, when we switched to a new pediatrician’s office and there was an issue in transferring my children’s records.  I didn’t know what specific medications they had taken six months ago…..surely that’s on their file?  But there wasn’t a file!!   See how helpful it would have been to carry my own copy of the records?

Other suggestions are more aggressive.  For example, when I was scheduled to see a specialist for my previously mentioned health condition, I was already scared out of my wits.  I wasn’t prepared with a list of questions to take with me.  The Take-Charge Patient provides you with the list, so you can just walk in and feel more confident.  Author Martine Ehrenclou (pictured at right) is on your side, helping you navigate the waters of insurance paperwork and endless referrals.

In closing, I really want to emphasize how meaningful and timely this book was for me. It will be a valued book on my shelf for a long time to come.

About the Author:
Martine has a master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University.  Prior to becoming a health writer and patient advocate, Martine was a journalist, ghostwriter and public relations professional. She created and ran a writing program for at-risk teenagers at Phoenix House.  Her personal experience with loved ones with extended hospitalizations changed her career path in 2001.

Buy It:   The Take-Charge Patient is available on Amazon and on other bookselling sites.  You can also purchase it at bookstores around the country.

Win It:   Enter to win a copy of The Take-Charge patient!  Giveaway will be posted soon.

Disclosure:  I was compensated for reviewing this book. This post contains affiliate links.  The experiences and opinions expressed are 100% mine.