Carolyn Oliver, M.D., J.D., Founder and Medical Director
Carolyn Oliver, M.D., J.D., is a tireless champion of patient rights, advocacy and empowerment. As founder of the Cautious Patient Foundation, she is committed to educating and empowering patients in their quest for quality healthcare, using her expertise in both medicine and law. With its family of educational programs and technology-based tools, Cari and the Cautious Patient Foundation are working to ensure that people are engaged and proactive in managing their health and healthcare providers. Read more...
Website URL: http://www.cautiouspatient.org/about-us/leadership/doctor-oliver.html
Realities of Medical Care Series: 45% of patients get only partially-treated
Studies show that whether it comes to:
- an acute health problem (like a sore throat or a heart attack),
- a chronic health problem (like diabetes or high cholesterol), OR
- a preventive health issue (like colonoscopies or mammograms),
more than 40% of the time, U.S. patients get only partially-treated. (See footnotes below.)
Don’t: Blame your doctor. The system is to blame. (OK, some doctors, yes, but not most.) - The system causes more paperwork, more bureaucratic pressures, more financial pressures, less time for doctors to update themselves on current best-practices, and less time for doctors to be sure you’re getting what you should.
DO: Take the initiative to find out what you need to do to live your longest and healthiest life with your chronic illness. Take the initiative to find out what preventive tests you should be taking to give yourself the best chance at living your longest and healthiest life. And you may also sometimes need to take the initiative to get the correct care for your acute illnesses.
How: The Internet is your new best friend. You can find reputable sites (Mayo Clinic, Harvard, etc.) where you can find out what should be done for your illnesses. Even the for-profit www.WebMD.com has some very fine information. (Click on "Read more" below.)
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