What Your Doctor Won't (or Can't) Tell You: The Failures of American Medicine -- And How to Avoid Becoming a Statistic

By Evan S. Levine

Book Overview

Dr. Evan S. Levine considers it his ethical responsibility to say what other doctors won't-that the health care industry has put profits ahead of healing patients. A practicing internist and cardiologist, he shows how to get the best medical care-and avoid the scams used to bilk patients and boost profits. Among the topics and vital tips he covers: ? How to choose a good doctor, specialist, and hospital The life-saving value of second opinions Tricks, of the trade that increase the medical industry's profits at patients' expense How drug companies pressure physicians into prescribing expensive, brand-name drugs rather than cheaper--and sometimes better--generic substitutes Doctors who make money from procedures they're not qualified to perform Why health care has deteriorated in America--and what can be done about it

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425200086
• ISBN13: 9780425200087
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

a must read before entering your doctor's office

Before entering a doctor's office, a hospital, or taking any prescribed drug, you must read this book. Dr. Levine tells all about the horrors of the healthcare industry and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Shocking and revealing!

I was shocked to learn that drug companies and medical suppliers "court" and "pay" (my quotes) doctors to use their products. The author explains the process behind the FDA approving a drug and that some doctors have a conflict of interest while taking part in the approval process.

Bottom Line: You're Your Own Doctor

This excellent book only underscores what we're all learning the hard way--the days of putting complete trust in your doctor are over. Levine has written a pretty scary book. He starts with what happens in the hospital--the standard procedures to make life easier for an overworked, undertrained staff that can result in deadly infections, the dangers of the emergency room, the perilous journey from your room to your x-ray or a lab. Levine then transitions to your doctor's office, and details the many ways you can be talked into unnecessary tests, medications or procedures. Needless to say the pharmaceutical industry takes a beating, as Levine describes how doctors are pressured into prescribing new drugs when older, cheaper generics are just as good if not better. The bottom line is that each of us is responsible for our own care, and luckily with the internet we have the tools we need to make informed decisions. If I can sum up Levine's advice in one word, it's question, question, question!My only problem with this book really lies with the publisher--it badly needs a good index! The book is chockful of good information especially in the area of cardiology, Levine's specialty, but going back and finding it would be a chore. Maybe in the paperback....

DOCTORS OR CROOKS, CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE ?

A MUST READ This is a fabulous (and scarey) disertation of the behind the scenes of the medical profession. I cannot believe the things the author tells us about surgeons, mortality statistics, stupid doctors misdiagnosis, hospital negligence and, plain old deceit of the doctors who we trust. It is shameful and a pure travesty of deception that everyone should read about. Before you get your next surgery, you must buy this book and be prepared for important questions to ask your future doctor or surgeon. I was especially troubled by the ambivalence of top cardio surgeons not treating patients for fear that there mortality statistics(death stats) would look worse if they loose a patient on the operating table. That is not medicine, it is business. WHAT are we paying these high paid liars for ? A MUST READ

This is Dr. Evan Levine

I wish I didn't have to leave a rating, but since I did I certainly wasn't going to leave a bad one or write one under a pseudonym. I'm trying to do the right thing here, and make all of you aware that this health care system stinks! It stinks for the patients and it stinks for the good doctors out there. I try to present a well balanced review of the system and give all of you advice on how to get decent care. The Publisher's Weekly review feels that it is impossible to ever leave a hospital that is substandard, obviously this "writer" doesn't know what's going on out there. I've helped patients get out of these hospitals for years,and give actual case stories in the book. They also think that it is obvious that eveyone knows only to go to a doctor that accepts your insurance. But I'm sure many of you reading this have have made trips to the doctor's office not knowing if the doctor took your insurance or worse gotten care from doctors who informed you afterwards (sometimes by a staggering bill) that they did not accept your insurance. I want all of you to know that I wrote this book because so many people (first family , then friends, and friends of friends) came to me wondering if they were getting good care. Too often the were not!I hope this helps. Evan S. Levine PS, e-mail me at evanlevinemd.com if you have questions.