By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Part II In Part I of my blog, “Bruce Dan, MD Blogs About His Cancer Treatment”, and I highlighted areas where Dr. Dan shows humor, strength and resolve. Part II addresses issues that Dr. Dan observes firsthand that affect patient care. Dr. Dan offers his observations and I offer some simple tips to help improve patient care. Dr. Dan is now the “e-Patient” – an empowered and engaged patient…
Read More...Make the Most of the 15 Minute Office Visit with Your Doctor
Part 1 By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Kevin Pho, MD, primary care physician in Nashua, N.H., blogs at KevinMD.com, member of USA TODAY’S board of contributors and a guest to the Health in 30® Radio Show, writes about the importance of doctors engaging in social media to communicate with patients. He writes in an op-ed in USA TODAY “Doctors ignore Internet at their own peril” on January 27, 2010: “Raise your hand if you’ve…
Read More...Questions Every Woman Should Ask Her Doctor
The single most important question every woman needs to ask her doctor is “What do I need to do to be healthy,” says Robin H. Miller, MD, a board certified internist, integrative medicine specialist and co-author of “The Smart Woman’s Guide to Midlife and Beyond”. When it comes to women’s health the three major areas that are top priority include: heart health, breast health and bone health. It’s important to talk with your doctor or…
Read More...How to Engage Your E-Patients Like a Rock Star
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Part 1 in a series on the e-patient, participatory medicine and health 2.0 There’s no question that today’s patients are savvy. Today’s patients are e-patients. Surrounded by technology, researching health information on the Internet has never been easier. Patients are engaging in communities and social networking sites and the exchange of information between patients has proven invaluable to some, thanks to the Health 2.0 movement. When patients visit their…
Read More...Medical Errors: Nurse’s Tips Can Help Prevent Medical Errors
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA This post isn’t being written to frighten you or to cause you to mistrust hospitals. It’s to make you aware that medical errors do occur, but there are steps that you can take to help prevent medical errors from happening. First, some vital information According to a recent investigation by the Hearst Corporation, a staggering 200,000 Americans will die each year from preventable medical errors and hospital infections. This…
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