When you need healthcare, where you go depends on the type of care you need. In a true emergency, you should call 911 or go to the emergency room. But, keep in mind that the emergency room is for emergencies. If you end up there for a minor issue, you’re going to have to wait … Continue reading Should you go to the doctor, walk-in clinic, urgent care or ER?
Most of us have experienced cancer from at least one perspective — as a family member or friend, a caregiver, a patient or perhaps a volunteer. Each perspective is different, like looking through a prism. My story links all of these. My journey with cancer began as that of a loved one. My mother-in-law and … Continue reading Why I became a patient navigator
Those who have visited an emergency room are no stranger to how waiting can feel in times of uncertainty. But what you might not realize is there are a lot of things working for you in the background as you wait. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect — the things you’ll see and those … Continue reading ER wait times: Behind the scenes in an ER
In a national survey, 89 percent of Americans agreed it’s important to have a relationship with a physician who knows their family medical history and health background. So why is it that, despite this statistic, a significant percentage of Americans do not have a primary care doctor, the first point of contact for your health … Continue reading Why you should have a primary care physician
A primary care physician, or primary care doctor, is your first stop when you are sick or in need of healthcare services —including your annual physical, immunizations, prescription refills, cold or flu symptoms, a sore throat, minor injuries, back pain or even suspected broken bones. Your primary care doctor promotes your overall well-being and makes … Continue reading What is a primary care physician and why do I have a care team?
As family medicine physicians, we know going to the doctor can be nerve-wracking. Some may even find it intimidating or confusing — but it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little preparation and open communication, you can leave the visit feeling confident about your health and future. Next time you see your doctor, … Continue reading How to make the most of your next doctor’s visit
Imagine that you’ve just been told, “You have cancer.” While you imagine the feeling of devastation, numbness or overwhelming fear those three words hold, you’ve likely never pictured the emotional impact the delivery of diagnosis has on the person saying them. For the medical professional, there is a lot of preparation that goes into the way you deliver … Continue reading How to deliver bad news with empathy
Just imagine: Your family member is diagnosed with cancer at one facility and needs to receive treatment at another hospital 30 minutes away. On the day of your loved one’s first appointment, treatment is delayed because records from the previous hospital are mired in red tape. What would you do? One patient and his loved … Continue reading Rethinking patient experience: Treating patients like family
When diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, you have two choices: You can choose to fight, or you can choose to succumb to fear. Fighters challenge illness, embracing treatment and facing the obstacle of an uphill battle to better health. But as fighters become survivors, it’s not uncommon for them to glance in the rearview mirror out of … Continue reading Fear of recurrence as an illness
Patients–and even some doctors—view generic drugs like generic knockoffs of their favorite breakfast cereal. You trade taste and quality for a lower price. Prescription drugs do not work that way. A generic drug is a copy of a brand-name drug. It legally has to have the same active ingredients as the drug it copies and … Continue reading Generic versus brand name drugs: What’s the difference?
