"Getting diagnosed with an illness," Svec writes, "is like hearing the starting pistol at the beginning of a race.... This book was written to help you run a better race." Even the best medical reference guide can't substitute for direct communication with a physician, but given changes in the medical system, especially insurance companies' limitations on doctor visits and treatments, patients need to be as proactive and informed as possible. That's why this book deserves a place on everyone's home reference shelf. Svec, a health researcher and freelance medical writer, offers practical advice on getting the best medical information. She critiques Web sites and the mass media, and explains how to find the most credible (usually university, nonprofit or government) sources, find and read journal articles on specific diseases, evaluate the reliability and accuracy of information and interpret statistics. Svec advises readers to set up their own tracking system: a large loose-leaf notebook filled with doctor and hospital records, a description of symptoms and a schedule of appointments. There are also sections on seeking second opinions and finding qualified caregivers. Overall, this is an excellent reference for anyone with a serious illness who is willing to do some homework to get better care. Agent, Jo Fagan/Jane Dystel Literary Management. (Aug.) Forecast: As Svec points out, more treatments are available than ever before but unfortunately, patients must work to learn about and get access to them. More and more people are coming around to this perspective, and this book is likely to be a lasting seller, especially if it's periodically updated.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This is an excellent resource for anyone who has been diagnosed with a chronic or acute life-threatening illness and wants to stay well informed. A freelance medical writer and health researcher, Svec provides some advice on communicating and partnering with physicians, but she devotes most of her book to explaining how to gather, evaluate, understand, and use current medical information. Her section on information sources uses a four-star system to rate the usefulness of medical texts, mass media, government health resources, the Internet, medical journals, and MEDLINE. A chapter on research studies and statistics provided in journal articles makes this often difficult-to-read information understandable and useful for patients. Required for any consumer health collection. Marge Kars, Bronson Methodist Hosp. Lib., Kalamazoo, MI
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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