An illuminating guidebook for all patients - and those who serve as their advocates - Getting Your Best Health Care parses the complex system of care in America. Through practical examples and real-life strategies it steers us toward a more collegial, more efficient, more patient-focused – and undeniably safer – relationship with the system and professionals within it. This book teaches us how to partner with our doctors and nurses and how to stay safe while in their care. Patients have relied for too long on the doctors’ brilliance and goodness, believing that Doctor knows best. Doctors do know what’s the best medical care, and we know what’s best for us. It’s time for us to step up as partners in our care.

Getting Your Best Health Care is written by working patient advocate Ken Farbstein, President of Patient AdvoCare.

Part One: During a Health Crisis

Chapter 1: Interacting with Your Doctor

Chapter 2: Choosing Your Doctor

Chapter 3: Choosing Surgery

Chapter 4: Choosing Your Hospital and Surgeon

Chapter 5: In the Hospital

Chapter 6: In the Mental Health World

Chapter 7: After an Error

Chapter 8: Coping with Grave Illness

Part Two: At Home

Chapter 9: Living with Chronic Illness

Chapter 10: Safe Alternative Medicine

Chapter 11: Giving Your Life for Others

Chapter 12: Working with a Patient Advocate

Chapter 13: Conclusions: Partners in the New Contract

Appendix: Favorites from Patient Safety Blog