The thought of surgery, or any invasive procedure, is scary for most people. And hospitals can be intimidating places, with infections and other dangers lurking. Add to that the high costs of hospital procedures and a possible long drive. It’s no wonder more and more patients are choosing surgery centers. However, surgery centers do not […]
Most of us rely on emergency rooms when we, or a loved one, have an urgent healthcare need. Whether it’s due to a high fever, chest pains, or a car accident, we go to the ER for high-quality care, often with time-sensitive needs. However, there are emergency room safety concerns that can hamper our ability […]
When you have a condition that doctors struggle to treat, it’s frustrating, scary, and depressing. You worry you’ll never get better. You’re sick of being sick. In desperation, you may feel tempted to receive treatments at an unregulated, free-standing stem cell clinic. But the dangers of stem cell clinics should not be ignored. Importantly, stem […]
It’s important to take your medication as your doctor prescribed since it will likely give you the best chance of feeling better. However, for a number of reasons, many patients find it hard to properly follow medication regimens. In fact, it’s so hard that over 50% of US adults don’t take their medication as prescribed. […]
Whether you are recently diagnosed or dealing with a long-term condition, you should be involved in the decision-making process. The same is true if you and your doctor are discussing preventive screenings and/or diagnostic testing. Historically, a doctor would tell you your diagnosis and course of treatment, and you would do your best to follow […]
No one likes to discuss end-of-life care and death. But it’s worth having the difficult conversations because patients should be as comfortable as possible, receiving the level of treatment desired. You may be thinking about using hospice care, but before you decide, you must consider the pros and cons of hospice care. For many, the […]
Although we all deserve the best possible healthcare, in reality, discrimination and disparities in healthcare harm patients throughout the US. Patients can experience discrimination in healthcare based on their race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, and more. Biased treatment and limited access to care can lead to worse outcomes. Unfortunately, discrimination and disparities in healthcare are […]
Everyone deserves access to the best possible healthcare. But, sadly, ethnic and racial discrimination in healthcare, along with disparities, harm patients throughout the US. Many factors impact the quality of care received and outcomes for Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, and Alaska Natives. What’s the difference between ethnic and racial discrimination and disparities? Ethnic and racial […]
Surgery is scary for everyone. What if something goes wrong? Is it possible you won’t wake up? What if it doesn’t help or makes your condition worse? These questions go through the minds of most people before they agree to a surgical procedure. But, for older patients, there is a higher risk of complications and […]
Experts agree – doctor burnout is a public health crisis. Importantly, doctors currently report crisis levels of work-related burnout, defined as long-term, unsolvable job stress that leads to exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed, cynical, detached from the job, and unfulfilled. Unsurprisingly, when doctors experience burnout, their health, as well as ours, is at risk. How widespread […]
