April 30th, 2009 by Trisha Torrey
It didn’t take long for the conspiracy theorists and the rumor mills to get going over swine flu, did it?
Let’s see: do Madonna or Salma Hayak already have swine flu?
Or – is this possible pandemic really just bioterrorism?
These and more swine flu myths, separating fact from fiction and some fraud thrown in, too… check them out!
April 19th, 2009 by Trisha Torrey
Many of you, my readers, have had complaints about the healthcare system, including the relationship you have (or don’t have) with a doctor. And I hear you — I’ve had bad experiences with some doctors, too.
But that begs the question — do doctors have complaints about patients, too?
Of course they do! I asked, and received input from more than three dozen healthcare professionals. I learned:
Ha! Opened the floodgates, I did. You’ll be amazed at some of the stories.
Since then, I’ve come across this question from KevinMD - and commentary by one of his responders that suggests that rather than fire his patients, he just makes them so miserable that they choose to leave him. (find comment from MANALIVE)
Have you been frustrated by a meeting with your doctor? Have you received a letter telling you the doctor will no longer work with you?
I invite you to share your story, too — and to discover whether you fit one of those patient profiles that doctors really just don’t want to work with.
February 20th, 2009 by Trisha Torrey
If you thought social networking was only for kids, Gen Web-ers or geeks, then think again.
Social networking has become a great source for finding people who can help you improve your health, or your medical care.
If you aren’t sure what I mean by social networking, then you’ll recognize it by other names you have heard, like FaceBook, mySpace or Twitter.
Last month I asked who is using these websites to learn more, and many of you voted in my poll. But now it occurs to me that for those of you who don’t, you may be missing out on some solid information that can move you forward in your quest to get better healthcare.
So here’s some background information on getting started with social networking.
And, as you may know, I am the patient empowerment guide at About.com — and learned recently that many of my About.com Health colleagues are using Twitter to help their readers, too. So I’ve put together a list of my About.com Health Twitter colleagues for you to check out.
Do you Twitter? Do you have a page at Facebook or any of the other social networking sites? If you’re willing to pitch into the conversation and share what you’ve learned, then please share your ideas – and your IDs, too.
January 31st, 2009 by Trisha Torrey
Here’s an update on my Every Patient’s Advocate activities
for the week of January 25 to 31:
See this icon? 
It means this link includes an opportunity for you to participate, beyond just a comment. However, please remember that your comments to any article or post are always welcome.
This icon 
indicates a piece that has attracted a lot of attention.
Blog Posts ………………………………..
Articles ………………………………..
Radio (Podcasts) ………………………………..
HealthLink on Air Guests — January 25:
Dr. Jeremy Shefner on Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) and Sharon Bauer, RN on Peripheral Stem Cell Transplants, plus review of a headline about premature infant deaths by Dr. Dave Smith, president of SUNY Upstate
Information is temporarily unavailable.
