I like feisty patients.

During my almost-40 years of practice as a pediatric oncologist, my favorite patients have been the teenagers. I wish adults were as direct as my teens. These kids believe that we should not let the sun set on our wrath. If they are not happy with their health care, they let you know promptly and specifically. In contrast, too many adult patients I know (particularly women) leave a doctor’s office feeling wounded or poorly informed. Instead of telling their doctor about their discontent, they tell all their friends.

Margo Corbett, herself a cancer survivor, is a patients’ advocate. Although the primary function of the patient advocate is to stand by the patient, advocates can assist doctors as well. I remember the mother of one of my teenage patients who carved out a new role for herself after her son’s death. She remembered how bewildered she felt when she was immersed into the high tech world of her son’s hospital. So, she kept her ears open for new pilgrims on the road of cancer care and accompanied them to the hospital. If she saw the patient she accompanied looking like a deer in the headlights, she would sweetly say, “Doctor, I’m not highly educated. Do you mind repeating what you just said in simpler English?” I never knew a physician insulted by her gentle hint.

Corbett presents us with a manual for effective communication. Healthcare providers as well as patients should be interested in this volume since most malpractice suits result from poor communication rather than poor practice. This is a valuable book to place in hospital and libraries where it can be found by the next generation of patient advocates.

Diane M. Komp, M. D.
Professor of Pediatrics (Hematology-Oncology) Emeritus
Yale University School of Medicine
Author of The Healer’s Heart
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In The Savvy Patient’s Toolkit you can learn from Margo Corbett who has had to been a caregiver for her family.  You can gain valuable insight from her experience as a patient,  patient advocate, and healthcare speaker.  You can learn how to better understand your family medical history and how to better handle chronic disease.  The patient record keeping system was  created at the point of need from a patient / patient advocate perspective. This book has a lot to offer for both the patient and the caregiver!

Page Last Updated February 22, 2011