I consider myself one of the lucky ones. When I was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in 2009, I had a 40% to 50% chance of surviving five years. Now, 11 years later, not only am I alive, but as far as we know, I’m also cancer-free. So, now I’m lucky in more ways than […]
Editor’s Note: On his personal blog, Health Hats, Danny van Leeuwen reports on the 10th annual Healthcare Literacy in Research Conference, held in Washington, D.C., October 21–23. Danny attended as a PCORI Ambassador. Although he didn’t find exactly what he went looking for — “co-produced research (researcher and patient partners) about lay people, professionals, and communities understanding each other to […]
Editor’s Note: Danny van Leeuwen is a remarkably prolific blogger, and I look forward to reading all his posts. In a recent post, he expressed frustration with medication lists that defy correction and constantly default to old or incorrect information despite his attempts and the sincere efforts of his providers to make them right. My […]
A few years back, I injured my right leg and had to go urgently to an emergency room in a busy suburban hospital not far from my home. As both a physician and engaged patient, I observed numerous patient safety lapses during my care, none of which, fortunately, resulted in harm. Although I was distressed […]
When I travel on my health journey, I like it best when I have a destination, companions, and a map. I value the experience as often as I can, learn from it, and adjust when I don’t get where I want to go at a satisfactory speed. So, destination = personal health goals. Companions=health team. […]