"YOU: The Smart Patient" Should Be on Desk of Every Ill Person

By: Lisa Copen

Book Review: "YOU: The Smart Patient: An Insider's Handbook for Getting the Best Treatment," Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz

When this book, "YOU: The Smart Patient: An Insider's Handbook for Getting the Best Treatment," by Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz , caught my attention a few years ago at a discount store, I would have never guessed that Mehmet Oz or "Doctor OZ" would soon be the popular new special guest on Oprah. Even while giving advice on those unspeakable personal health topics on national television his cheery disposition and frank answers has made this book even more fulfilling.

And that's why my review of this book is so complimentary. How can a book that includes worst case medical scenarios, medical jargon, list of health resources, and surgery preparation tips be considered enjoyable?

For starters, the book is packed full of information that we all need, but don't usually like to read. So it's given to the reader in small doses with creative layouts. Fun clipart, cartoons, tip boxes, a resource section and the offbeat humor throughout all the content actually keeps the reader interested.

There was a conscious decision to have this book be designed with the average person in mind, so it looks and reads more like your favorite consumer magazine than a medical journal.

The value of the book isn't about the entertaining pages, however, but the content which is truly superb. The authors of "YOU: The Smart Patient" tell you to become your own "medical detective" in ways such as looking more closely at your family tree and keeping track of your medical information in a journal at the back of the book.

The book is written in conjunction with The Joint Commission, which accredits and certifies more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, so there the reader doesn't have to worry about author bias in their advice.

"YOU: The Smart Patient" isn't just something to read, but to use. It's filled with checklists for you or whoever who might accompany you on medical visits or hospital stays. It supplies straightforward things a good health advocate must do; like how to verify with your surgeon which body part is being dealt with, what medications you have an allergy to, and how to make sure that your prescription drugs are the correct, since so many medications sound alike.

It goes on to advise one on how to find the right doctor, hospital, and insurance company, how to work with specialists, be your nurse's favorite patient, choose alternative medicine and pain management. It even explains a doctor's typical schedule and why they may seem so tired at times.

I heartedly recommend "YOU: The Smart Patient" with five stars! It's the best money anyone will spend to effectively managing his or her healthcare, but especially if you live with a chronic illness!

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