Every Patient’s Advocate

Katie Couric ‘d

You may have read the report this week that cancer deaths in the US decreased for the second straight year. How marvelous that is! And a real testament to patients taking charge of their healthcare decisions ….

The biggest drop in death rates was for colorectal cancer. Much of the credit for that drop is given to Katie Couric because of her campaign — her personal investment — in making sure people get screened. Her campaign was in response to the loss of her husband to colorectal cancer, a tragic loss which she turned around to be a huge “win” for the general public.

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of Katie Courics out here. We have suffered as a result of the “system” — or from a disease or condition, or our children or other loved ones have. We have taken our horrible experiences and turned them into something positive for others. We have different names, we come from different places, we are different genders, ages, races and cultures, but the bottom line is — we didn’t let our horrible experiences get in the way.

Instead we have produced lemonade. We are advocates, hand-holders, advisors, caretakers. For many of us, our work is our catharsis which resulted from our bad experiences. For some, like me, it’s a spiritual calling. Everything happens for a reason, I believe.

Thanks, Katie. We aspire to achieve a fraction of the impact on Americans and healthcare that you have created. Bless you for your leadership.

Nigel Summerley - where are you?

A friend forwarded this story to me today from The Independent — a newspaper in the UK: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article2157703.ece

I just want to give Nigel a high-five! An atta-boy! A YOU-Go my overseas friend! BUT — I can’t find an email address anywhere for Nigel.

Can anyone help? Nigel — if you find this blog, will you send me an email? Seriously — you have provided a perfect example of a man who advocated for himself and found the best possible outcome.

Thanks for putting a HUGE smile on my face today!

Evidence Based — Having Second Thoughts!

So this morning I taped my radio show for airing this Sunday. During each show, I provide a sharp patient tip — a tool or piece of information anyone can use to help them better navigate the dysfunctional system we call American healthcare.

This week’s tip is about making judgements about treatment options based on scientific evidence — you know — where real experiments on real people have proven one thing works — or doesn’t. Specifically I was addressing recent reports that zinc and echinacea supplements don’t really help relieve a cold. I took the stand that if you understand what the real scientific evidence says, then you won’t waste your money on those supplements, or many other remedies, that don’t really work.

But — I’m having second thoughts now. What I realize is that none of these studies (as near as I can tell) ever account for the very real ability for someone’s head to practically over rule their physiology. For example — one recent study says that chondroitin and glucosamene are ineffective in relieving pain for arthritis sufferers. Oh really? Then how do we account for all those people who say it really helps them? Who is judging their opinions? Do we think they really DO have pain, they just don’t realize it?

Secondly — it occurs to me that “evidence-based” never seems to account for individual differences. It reminds me of when I was a first-grade teacher. We would be told that a certain method of teaching (for reading and math in particular) was THE method — when, in fact — now we know that different people (children) learn in different ways.

So who’s to say that individual bodies won’t react to treatments differently? Actually — we DO know that! So — how do we now marry those two concepts that account for individuality?

For now, I’m going to think about it this way. Perhaps “evidence based” represents the majority. But anecdotal evidence by individuals who find relief must still be accounted for — and respected.

Evidence Based — Having Second Thoughts!

So this morning I taped my radio show for airing this Sunday. During each show, I provide a sharp patient tip — a tool or piece of information anyone can use to help them better navigate the dysfunctional system we call American healthcare.

This week’s tip is about making judgements about treatment options based on scientific evidence — you know — where real experiments on real people have proven one thing works — or doesn’t. Specifically I was addressing recent reports that zinc and echinacea supplements don’t really help relieve a cold. I took the stand that if you understand what the real scientific evidence says, then you won’t waste your money on those supplements, or many other remedies, that don’t really work.

But — I’m having second thoughts now. What I realize is that none of these studies (as near as I can tell) ever account for the very real ability for someone’s head to practically over rule their physiology. For example — one recent study says that chondroitin and glucosamene are ineffective in relieving pain for arthritis sufferers. Oh really? Then how do we account for all those people who say it really helps them? Who is judging their opinions? Do we think they really DO have pain, they just don’t realize it?

Secondly — it occurs to me that “evidence-based” never seems to account for individual differences. It reminds me of when I was a first-grade teacher. We would be told that a certain method of teaching (for reading and math in particular) was THE method — when, in fact — now we know that different people (children) learn in different ways.

So who’s to say that individual bodies won’t react to treatments differently? Actually — we DO know that! So — how do we now marry those two concepts that account for individuality?

For now, I’m going to think about it this way. Perhaps “evidence based” represents the majority. But anecdotal evidence by individuals who find relief must still be accounted for — and respected.