The Medical Mentor: Get the Health Care You Deserve in Today's Medical System

By Bob Sheff

As a physician and a retired medical group president and medical insurance executive, Bob Sheff thought he knew everything about the health care system. Then he became a patient himself and found out firsthand just how intimidating, confusing, and downright scary it can be to face the rules, regulations, and physician attitudes that now define America's medical care culture. The result of his experiences is this useful guide to navigating every aspect of what Dr. Sheff calls our messed-up medical system. His compassionate, easy-to-understand text shows you how to become your own medical advocate and get the kind of care you deserve, when you want it, from whom you want it, and where you want it-no matter what your insurance company says. The Medical Mentor offers rare insider information about selecting and handling insurance companies; hospital practices that can put you in jeopardy; how to protect your health in the doctor's office and your life in the hospital or a special-care facility; and how to know which sources (including medical web sites) to trust and which not to trust. This indispensable guide provides all the information you need to know before you need to use it.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1584794887
• ISBN13: 9781584794882
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.5" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

A doctor who makes house calls!

My sister, a very anxious person, was recently diagnosed with syringomyelia, a rare spinal cord disease. She was terrified. Fortunately, I had just attended Dr. Sheff's lecture/book signing and bought this book. Based on its direction, I became my sister's "patient advocate." We used The Medical Mentor to guide us through the process. We learned how to choose a neurosurgeon, understand and weigh the options for treatment, what questions to ask pre- and post-surgery, and how to deal with the hospital and staff in order to get the best care possible. It felt like Dr. Sheff was with us every step of the way to answer our questions and allay our fears. Just like in the old days when you had a family doctor you could really talk to. Is there a doctor in the house? There is if this book is on your shelf.

Fantastic!

I heard Dr. Sheff speak in Austin and I immediately bought his book. It is comprehensive, easy to negotiate and answers a multitude of questions about health care for you and your family members. Dr. Sheff outlines specific strategies to use in medical situations that will insure the proper medical care. This book empowers patients to have a collaborative relationship with their physician that is clearly the best way to have a favorable outcome when dealing with medical issues. The Medical Mentor is worth every penny! I recommend it highly!

practical advice

This book is a well written, easy to follow guide to questions we all have when dealing with doctors, hospitals and insurance companies. I found the suggestions very helpful as I dealt with my own health issues. I highly recommend The Medical Mentor.

A helpful book full of practical advice

This book is an important read given the current state of our health care system. The author offers praactical suggestions for getting what you need from your doctors and navigating the health care system. The book is easy to read and the author is knowledgeable and caring. Highly recommend!