COVID changed everything. Mayo Clinic's Edward Creagan, MD, addresses critical changes in the healthcare delivery system and survivorship in this revised third edition of his award-winning book for empowered patients.
“This book is for everyone who decides to take charge of their own health and their own destiny.” (Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN)
The facts are clear. If you want to be healthy for
Learn to talk so your doctor will listen. Get insights on how to navigate patient portals and telemedicine visits. Understand your diagnosis—and realize that you can survive bad news. Follow Dr. Ed’s eight simple commandments for living well—and you’ll live long enough to cash in your 401(k).
Separate hype from hope, especially with perplexing medical headlines and confusing internet information.
Get insight into what your doctor wasn’t taught in medical school.
Combine the best of traditional and complementary treatments.
Dr. Edward Creagan treated very sick patients for more than 40 winters at the renowned Mayo Clinic. This book is not just about lifestyle choices, although these are important aspects of Dr. Creagan’s healthy living plan. It is about using your precious minutes in the exam room (the average doctor visit is about 16 minutes), forging the right kind of relationship with your care providers (because that world is changing quickly), and understanding and using the healthcare system—instead of having the system use (and often abuse) you.
Edward T. Creagan, MD, FAAHPM, is Professor Emeritus of Medical Oncology at the Mayo Clinic Medical School, Emeritus Professor of Humanism in Medicine, and Emeritus Consultant in Palliative Medicine. He is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care.
“Dr. Ed” has made more than 1,000 presentations throughout the world on health, hope, cancer survivorship, caregiving, burnout, and the healing power of pets. Read his blogs at AskDoctorEd.com. He tweets daily @EdwardCreagan.
Probably the best advice I have read and I have read many. Recommeded reading for EVERYONE. I have to admit I did feel some guilt during the food choice section and shamed for my continued sunworshipping but please read it. Information everyone needs.
I'm not one to read books on health-- self-help and business are more my thing. I picked up this book based on a recommendation from a friend however, and am glad that I did. Reading this book is something that you do because you know it's good for you and it will eventually reap rewards.
While there are two authors for this book (Edward Creagan and Sandra Wendel), it is written primarily from Dr. Creagan’s point of view. In the writing, Dr. Creagan comes across like the knowledgeable doctor that he is, reminding me of the advice that I've heard before but don't always follow (like eating my vegetables and exercising) but who also provides some insightful tips that I hadn't heard (like making sure to keep your own medical records files.)
My favorite part of the book was actually the last section "Part III Essential Steps to Surviving Any Diagnosis." While the authors advocate that you take control of your fate throughout the book, in this section, I really started to believe that I could and should. Creagan and Wendel write "If you're a patient with a life-threatening condition, make yourself the chairman... remember, you are the one sitting at the the head of the table. You're the final decision-maker. You're in charge."
The book then goes on to talk through a variety of treatment options including alternative medicines, and even a "Pet prescription" that has proven how pets keep owners happier and healthier. I appreciate how the authors provide sound research and advice but also do it in a way that makes you feel empowered to make the final choice based on your own preferences, needs, and judgement.
A recommended read for anyone who wants to be in control of their own health and who also wants to make the most of their time on this earth.