TALK BACK TO YOUR DOCTOR: How to Make Sure You're Getting High Quality Health Care

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 22, 1975

A forthright ""consumer"" primer on what to look for or avoid in personal medical care. There are chapters on the informed choice of a doctor; what medical diagnosis does and should involve; what to expect and demand from an office visit; tests commonly given--what they consist of and why they're used; correct and incorrect prescriptions of various drugs; hospital hierarchies and patient rights; and the special problems of women and children. Throughout Dr. Levin emphasizes the need for basic knowledge and alertness. For example, get your diagnosis written legibly in medical (not layman's) terms--not only for future use by other doctors including your own who may think twice about imprecision; beware of the physician who treats by injection, particularly if he's unwilling to tell you what he's injecting. Levin gives examples of incorrect drug use (antibiotics for viral upper respiratory infections) and reminds the hospital-bound that they may see their hospital record, refuse to be examined by a medical student and may leave when they want to. In operations risk is less if general anesthesia can be avoided; and the author often prefers the work of a busy ""ward"" resident in a teaching hospital to that of a ranking surgeon. Dr. Levin is convincing, soundly informative and hardly radical. A sensible manual for anyone who believes he should have some say-so on the care and upkeep of his body.

Pub Date: Aug. 22, 1975

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1975

Categories: NONFICTION