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by Gwen Van Servellen Ph. D. (Author)
Sooner or later we all need healthcare and with increasing frequency as we age. Naturally, we want our care to be easy to access, effective, and as positive of an experience as possible. Getting quality healthcare means living longer, an improved quality of life, reductions in the painful effects of chronic and acute illness, as well as saving time, money, and frustration.
Unfortunately, negotiating the healthcare system can be like crossing a minefield. From selecting the right doctors, to knowing how to communicate with them, to understanding and managing the treatment process to avoiding medical errors, using healthcare can be quite challenging. Consider the following: At least 210,000 preventable deaths occur every year in hospitals with numerous mistakes and mishaps occurring regularly. Prescription drug overdose is the leading cause of injury death in the United States (CDC). And $750 billion dollars a year are spent on unnecessary medical procedures. Our healthcare can kill us if we are not careful! In this important book discover: - Why medical errors happen and how to prevent them - The secret to finding the best doctors & when to choose a new one - How to communicate effectively with your doctor or healthcare facility - How to make sure your health records are being kept accurately - Key strategies for managing your treatment process to get the best outcome The Healthcare Handbook has been written by Dr. Gwen van Servellen, a UCLA Professor Emeritus with 35 years of experience evaluating patient care. With numerous articles and books published on achieving high quality healthcare, Dr. van Servellen has been a highly sought after consultant to hospitals, clinics, and universities. Now she brings her considerable knowledge and experience to helping you get the most from your healthcare. "At last, a book that helps patients navigate the healthcare system, assure that they get the most out of relationships with their healthcare providers, and have the tools to manage and direct their own health care outcomes..." - Judith F. Karshmer, PMHCNS-BC, Dean & Professor, School of Nursing & Health Professions, University of San Francisco Whether you are in need of healthcare yourself or are responsible for helping a loved one The Healthcare Handbook is an essential guide for helping you avoid medical errors and getting the most positive outcome from your healthcare.Author Biography
Gwen van Servellen, RN, PhD is a nationally and internationally recognized educator, consultant, and author. She is a UCLA Professor Emeritus who has spent over 35 years evaluating patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Dr. van Servellen has consulted with hospitals, clinics and outpatient centers, and universities in the United States and around the world. As an author she has published over 100 professional articles and conference proceedings and 7 books on the topics of individualized care, healthcare processes and cost effectiveness, quality care, and effective communications between patients and health professionals. Having been an observer and recipient of both "good" and "bad" care she is particularly interested in helping you overcome any challenges you might face in getting high levels of quality healthcare.
