The Confident Patient: Successfully Navigate Your Healthcare Journey

By Wendy Benson and Elizabeth Myers

The Confident Patient is your roadmap and key to truly understanding and navigating your healthcare situation. This powerful guide provides you with real answers, specific questions to gain clarity, information you can use immediately, and gives you concrete ways to partner with your medical team. Healthcare is intensely personal and intimate and The Confident Patient honors you and your family’s individual situation like a trusted friend, in a supportive, compassionate way. The Confident Patient is your must-read companion, and with it by your side, you and your loved ones can move forward together with the knowledge to make important decisions—with confidence.

This powerful book will help you:

•Discover what doctors and healthcare providers wished you knew or would ask.
•End your feelings of being overwhelmed, ease your anxieties of the unknown, and provide you direction around your healthcare needs.
•Discover key questions to ask during an appointment, pre- and post-surgery.
•Have a go-to trusted list of resources to access for support, additional information, and to learn the latest information about your condition.
•Be encouraged and empowered by stories shared by patients and medical care professionals to support you in navigating your healthcare journey.

Here are what people are saying about The Confident Patient:
“This is an engaging and practical guide for anyone who will ever visit a doctor. You don’t have to go to medical school in order to be a Confident Patient. Just read this book!” - Dr. Liz Lyster“
I consider The Confident Patient an owner’s manual for life. . . your go-to cheat sheet for all your medical appointments.”

- Jeanne Alford, Owner, Alford Communications and Author

“The Confident Patient walks you through the appropriate questions to ask, steps to take, and gives you resources to get help. As a Registered Nurse for 40 years, I highly recommend this book!”

- Laurie Ratto, RN, HTCP/I, CCC“

The Confident Patient is eye opening, informative, engaging and easy to understand. A must-read prior to any healthcare encounter.”

- Patricia J. Rullo, Patient Safety Author and Radio Host

• Language: English
• Publisher: RHG Media
• Release date: Jun 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9780578517520

Book preview

See what people are saying about The Confident Patient. . .

This is an engaging and practical guide for anyone who will ever visit a doctor. You don’t have to go to medical school in order to be a Confident Patient. Just read this book!

Dr. Liz Lyster

www.DrLizMD.com

As a physician, and particularly as a trauma surgeon and critical care physician, this book, The Confident Patient, is a much needed work by experienced healthcare providers to provide the support and strategies. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

Jamie Jones Coleman, MD, FACS

Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine

www.jjcolemanmd.com

I consider The Confident Patient an owner’s manual for life.

Jeanne Alford

Owner, Alford Communications

Author, Three Magic Questions to Instantly Improve Communications

Co-author, Bloom Where You Are Planted and Shine and Step Forward and Shine

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to be prepared in the event of a health crisis . . . they can truly be a confident patient as they navigate their health care journey!

Kate Curler, The Law Office of Kate Curler LLC.

Elderlaw Attorney, Senior Advocate, Caregiver Coach

Navigating today’s health care system seems to require the proverbial degree of a rocket scientist. I recommend The Confident Patient to anyone who has a loved one dealing with the health care system.

Joseph J. Hennessy, MD

MD2 Chicago

As a Registered Nurse, one of my key responsibilities was patient education. Benson and Myers have given us a book that should be a reference given to every patient to provide them with the ability to make truly informed decisions about their health.

Linda F. Patten, Leadership Trainer for Women Entrepreneurs and Changemakers – President &CEO, Dare2Lead With Linda, Website: www.dare2leadwithlinda.com, email: [e-mail]

A must-read prior to any healthcare encounter.

Patricia J. Rullo

Patient Safety Author and Radio Host

speakupandstayalive.com

Like a conversation with a trusted friend to help people face their health care journey with confidence—and in partnership—so no one has to travel this path alone.

Carl E. Josehart

Chief Operating Officer, Jewish Family Service

Everything you need for the medical situations you and your family may face. I highly recommend you read this book!

Sarah Victory

Speaker, best-selling author & celebrity coach

A guide to shepherd you (or the patient) through the confusing maze of health care terminology, providers and treatment options.

Judy Neubrander, Ed.D., FNP-BC | Dean

Illinois State University – Mennonite College of Nursing

Wendy and Elizabeth have paved the way to support individuals during health care responsibilities. . . beneficial in developing the confidence advantageous to all present and future patients.

Nancy C. Caralla

Founding President, Executive Director, C Diff Foundation

www.cdifffoundation.org

A valuable guidebook as well as the capacity to move forward…with confidence.

Louis A. Weiss

Publisher, Chicago Health magazine

This book will help you get smart, be empowered and gain the confidence you need to take charge of your medical outcomes!

Marlene Elizabeth, Founder & Author of MONEYWINGS™

www.unfoldmoneywings.com

As a registered nurse for 40 years, I highly recommend this book! You will feel more confident navigating the healthcare system and get the care you need.

Laurie Ratto, RN, HTCP/I, CCA, Integrative Care Practitioner and Consultant

Mind and Body Method

www.mindandbodymethod.com

The Confident Patient

Successfully Navigate Your Healthcare Journey

Wendy K. Benson, MBA, OTR/L

Elizabeth A. Myers, BSN, RN

Copyright © 2019 Wendy K. Benson & Elizabeth A. Myers

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the authors except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN: 978-0-578-51752-0

RHG Media Productions

25495 Southwick Drive #103

Hayward, CA 94544

www.YourPurposeDrivenPractice.com

Disclaimer: The patient stories, examples, and resolutions in this book are based on actual real-life situations. Patients and details identifying them, including ages, genders, and diagnoses have been changed. If you or your loved ones have medical conditions, be sure to seek advice from a physician or qualified health provider. This book is not meant to replace medical advice. This guide provides general information, logistical support, guidance, and emotional support; it does not provide legal advice or medical advice. The content in this book is supportive and complementary in nature and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

To my husband Troy and daughters Ainsley and Sloane, you are the love, joy, and center of my life, I am grateful for you every single day. Also, in loving memory of my mother, Gevene, who made each person in her life feel truly significant, important, and loved. — Wendy K. Benson

To my husband Jon, who makes me a better person; to my children, Jack and Megan, I am so proud of you; and to my mother, Debby, who shared her passion for nursing with me. — Elizabeth A. Myers

Acknowledgements

This book would not exist without the influence of our amazing patients. We have had the tremendous honor and privilege of partnering with individuals and their loved ones over the years and the relationships have truly been mutually beneficial. We have learned valuable lessons with each interaction and we have been able to proactively apply that knowledge to assist others immediately. It is through our journeys with these brave individuals and their families that we became even more motivated to share and communicate common themes and practical advice that can help empower an even wider audience.

Nothing would be possible without the loving support of our families, especially our parents: Gevene, Debby, Victor, Joe, and Ted. You are our inspirational and compassionate guides. We are also grateful for our siblings who have helped us every step of the way: Kirk, Joe, Kevin, Laura, and Matthew, as well as our spouses, children, and extended families. Thank you all for encouraging us to be the best versions of ourselves.

This book is also a tribute to our talented and compassionate team members and partners, past and present. We especially thank: Brandy Hatcher, Alexandra Groszko-Savageau, Gina Balzano, Lauren Lucius, Sheila Sanders, Brittany Hohoff, Tracy Skarbek, Jessica Walker, Damaris Boutros, Leslie Mercado, Eileen Dwyer, Lauren Medina, Christina Anderson, Jan Steiner, Melissa Burke, Meghan O’Hare, Jessica Kelley, Ann Fohrman, Alysha Strick, Kelsey Casey, Alicia Briskey, Jennifer Grenier, Katherine Fasullo, Erica LaVire, Jennifer Herbert, Heather Hermann, Beth Skarbek, Debby James, Janine Rady, Marybeth Sheehy, Colleen Calhoun, Bob Skarbek, Kendra Petruniw, Kate Curler, Maryellen Jachimowski, Beth Stewart, Carol Richter, Carla Kozlowicz, Courtney Gerk, Christina Bejarano, James Mielnikowki, Jenna Hanson, Kate Carey, Nicole Wynn, Sara Ruzicka, Sonia Mata, Logan Cummins, Alicia Reyerson, Haley Palmer, Katrina Wittkamp, Kyle Miller, Scott Seder, Ted Timmerman, Jeannine Skarbek-Kubas, Morgan Kuzel, and Loretta Washington. Every single day, we are grateful for your ongoing commitment, expertise, knowledge, empathy, and warmth. It is because of you and your heart-felt efforts that we have a positive, engaging, and collaborative team who truly makes a significant difference in the lives of others. We are eternally grateful for each of you and your unparalleled dedication.

We want to acknowledge our expert contributors, the material in this book is strengthened by your extensive knowledge and unending pursuit for excellent patient care. We especially recognize: Dr. Larry Goodman, Dr. Janine Gauthier-Mullady, Dr. Kathy Tynus, Dr. Srikumar Pillai, Dr. Jonathan Myers, Dr. Gary Chmielewski, Dr. Andrea Madrigrano, Dr. Ted James, Dr. Henry Danko, Kevin Keighron, Karen Curtiss, Abby O’Neil, Terri O’Brien, Jennifer Schreiber, Jill Feldman, Valerie Gardhouse, Kevin Gray, Susan Hurley, Bonnie Micheli, Mary Ellen Hand, Courtney Melstrom, Paola Pescara, and Catherine Johnson.

We are also grateful for the mentorship and leadership of Sarah Victory and Rebecca Hall Gruyter. Through your coaching and guidance, the two of you and your teams made authoring a book a reality. You are truly motivating and you and your leadership further inspired us to share the experience and knowledge we have gained over the years.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1 What is a Confident Patient?

Chapter 2 Speaking the Language of Healthcare

Chapter 3 Surrounding Yourself with a Great Team

Chapter 4 Dealing with a Difficult Diagnosis or Medical Condition

Chapter 5 Preparing for a Successful Surgery

Chapter 6 Managing Your Health Information

Chapter 7 Preventing and Minimizing a Healthcare Crisis

Chapter 8 What Your Medical Team Wants You to Know

Chapter 9 Developing Connections, Finding Reassurance and Enhancing Confidence

Chapter 10 Believe in Yourself

In Closing and With Gratitude

Reference Guide

About the Authors

About the Team

Independent Reviews

Foreword

Everyone occasionally gets sick with a common infection or experiences a minor trauma. When this happens, we know what to expect. As miserable as we might feel, we wait with confidence to get better.

But an unusual pain, a newly abnormal lab test, or a new and possibly serious diagnosis understandably causes far more anxiety. This is uncharted territory. We are stressed. Besides having to learn about unfamiliar medical issues and having to make decisions about care, most people also have concerns about becoming burdensome to their loved ones, maintaining independence, maintaining intimacy, controlling pain, and many other issues. We are anything but confident.

The real shame of all of this is that while it is true that some medical illnesses do require real and sometimes significant adjustment, many of the related concerns noted above are either not impacted at all by most illnesses or can be addressed effectively and logically. The Confident Patient, Successfully Navigate Your Healthcare Journey provides patients and loved ones with the critical information they need to greatly reduce the vulnerability and anxiety that is too often associated with many illnesses or medical procedures.

As someone who has been in the healthcare field for many years, I have often witnessed patients and their family members feeling uncertain or scared and not knowing what to do or who to ask. I am delighted that Wendy Benson and Elizabeth Myers have recognized this need and created a guide to help patients navigating their healthcare journey with greater confidence.

Benson and Myers have written an important and common sense set of practical strategies that will allow patients to be more in control so they can focus on understanding their medical illness and make the best decisions. The book includes real life examples from their extensive experience as health care professionals who have previously practiced in hospitals and clinics and now have a practice that focuses on supporting patients and loved ones outside of those traditional settings. They know that most people think of questions only after they arrive back home, and they often don’t know whom to call or they feel uncomfortable asking. Also, sometimes they don’t quite know what to ask or how to ask it. This book is written in response to these issues and challenges.

The book is laid out in easy to navigate chapters that can be read in sequence or used selectively as a reference guide. For example, some readers may want to go directly to the chapter entitled, Preparing for a Successful Surgery. Similarly, the chapter on Managing Your Medical Information provides a great overview on how to keep track of the various bits of information coming from multiple sources, and sometimes from multiple organizations or practices. This is not only useful to the patient; it is helpful for the next physician who might be joining the health care team. However, my own recommendation is to read all of it and then share it with others. In addition, the Appendix contains useful information including a glossary of medical terms, additional sample questions to ask, a description of the various roles of health care providers, and a listing of organizations that might provide additional assistance.

Most of what is frightening about any illness is the unknown. This useful book greatly reduces the fear of the unknown by providing patients and their loved ones with the information and tools they need to navigate any illness with a greater sense of autonomy and confidence. Many of my friends and patients have benefited from the helpful and practical information contained in The Confident Patient. I believe you will as well.

Larry J. Goodman, M.D.

CEO Rush University Medical Center

CEO Rush University System for Health

Introduction

We are so pleased that you picked up The Confident Patient, Successfully Navigate Your Healthcare Journey. The book that you are holding right now is written as an extension of our own philosophy: it is our passion to help guide, reassure, and support others, especially when they are dealing with a healthcare crisis. Our company, 2x2 Health: Private Health Concierge, was created to assist those who have healthcare needs. Our mission is to guide individuals with complex healthcare issues with our compassionate experts who possess invaluable knowledge, experience, and relationships. We focus on care coordination and clinical companionship, as well as health education and wellness. We strongly believe that relationships matter and expertise, care, and support during critical times is an absolute. In this book, and when we talk with our patients, our communication style is the same as when we talk with a very close friend. We are all in this together. With this book, our aim is to increase your