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The Doctor Is Listening

How patients can advocate for better care

Health
A Simple Act of Kindness

Leana Wen M.D. on June 5, 2014

An ER doctor is surprised by a simple intervention of caring and healing.

An ER doctor is surprised by a simple intervention of caring and healing.

Health
What Does a Health Care Dystopia Look Like?

Leana Wen M.D. on February 3, 2014

The healthcare dystopia in China is not just a reality for China—it is what the U.S. is on the fast track to becoming.

The healthcare dystopia in China is not just a reality for China—it is what the U.S. is on the fast track to becoming.

Health
What Do People Want from Their Healthcare?

Leana Wen M.D. on January 14, 2014

One year ago, I thought I was going on a book tour to teach patients how they can advocate for better care. Instead, people across the country taught me what they want from healthcare, and how medicine is missing the mark today. Here are 10 surprising findings from my "listening tour".

One year ago, I thought I was going on a book tour to teach patients how they can advocate for better care. Instead, people across the country taught me what they want from healthcare, and how medicine is missing the mark today. Here are 10 surprising findings from my "listening tour".

Health
More on the Need for Doctors to be Transparent With Patients

Leana Wen M.D. on December 2, 2013

Who's My Doctor, the new campaign calling for transparency in medicine, comes under fire. Join the conversation: Should doctors decide what information patients know about them—or should patients?

Who's My Doctor, the new campaign calling for transparency in medicine, comes under fire. Join the conversation: Should doctors decide what information patients know about them—or should patients?

Education
To the Doctors: Why We Need to Be Transparent With Patients

Leana Wen M.D. on November 21, 2013

“Doctors need drug companies. We’re not influenced by them. They just pay for lunches, and I need to eat. Bedsides, it’s not my patients’ business what I do.”

The new campaign for transparency in medicine, "Who’s My Doctor?", comes under fire from dome doctors who are not thrilled with being open with their patients. Here are some of my responses.

“Doctors need drug companies. We’re not influenced by them. They just pay for lunches, and I need to eat. Bedsides, it’s not my patients’ business what I do.”

The new campaign for transparency in medicine, "Who’s My Doctor?", comes under fire from dome doctors who are not thrilled with being open with their patients. Here are some of my responses.

Fear
What Do You Know About Your Doctor?

Leana Wen M.D. on October 15, 2013

To counter the epidemic of fear and lack of trust in medicine, I am launching a new campaign for doctors to be totally transparent with their patients. Who's Your Doctor: The Total Transparency Manifesto calls for doctors to disclose conflicts of interests and other influences that may impact patient care.

To counter the epidemic of fear and lack of trust in medicine, I am launching a new campaign for doctors to be totally transparent with their patients. Who's Your Doctor: The Total Transparency Manifesto calls for doctors to disclose conflicts of interests and other influences that may impact patient care.

ADHD
Are We Receiving Too Much Medical Care?

Leana Wen M.D. on September 13, 2013

New evidence shows that too MUCH medical care causes harm. Here are 7 examples of overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

New evidence shows that too MUCH medical care causes harm. Here are 7 examples of overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Friends
How Do You Choose a Hospital?

Leana Wen M.D. on August 12, 2013

Let’s say that you’re told you need surgery to repair a torn ligament in your knee. How do you choose which hospital to go to?

Let’s say that you’re told you need surgery to repair a torn ligament in your knee. How do you choose which hospital to go to?

Career
The Trouble With Traditional Research: A Call to Action

Leana Wen M.D. on July 11, 2013

In traditional medical research, patients are subjects, rather than active participants in their care. There is a new movement to have patients engage as equal partners in research—but what challenges does it face, and how can we work to build a system that is not only patient-centered for care, but also for research?

In traditional medical research, patients are subjects, rather than active participants in their care. There is a new movement to have patients engage as equal partners in research—but what challenges does it face, and how can we work to build a system that is not only patient-centered for care, but also for research?

Health
Should You Be a "Patient" or "Healthcare Consumer"?

Leana Wen M.D. on May 9, 2013

While changing the terminology of "patient" to "healthcare consumer" might be tempting, it comes with certain dangers. A patient has the right to healthcare, but a healthcare consumer buys what he can.

While changing the terminology of "patient" to "healthcare consumer" might be tempting, it comes with certain dangers. A patient has the right to healthcare, but a healthcare consumer buys what he can.

Psychopharmacology
12 Ways to Stay Safe in Hospitals

Leana Wen M.D. on April 4, 2013

My last two articles addressed how medical errors affect one in three hospitalized patients, and the 10 types of errors that happen. Now, find out what you can to prevent medical error and to be safe and well during your hospital stay.

My last two articles addressed how medical errors affect one in three hospitalized patients, and the 10 types of errors that happen. Now, find out what you can to prevent medical error and to be safe and well during your hospital stay.

Aging
How Hospitals Can Kill Us

Leana Wen M.D. on March 23, 2013

What kills more people than car accidents, diabetes, and pneumonia? What can save us, but also kill us?

The answer: hospitals. Despite advances in science and medicine, hospitals are dangerous places. Read on to see how this affects you, and what you can do to stay safe.

What kills more people than car accidents, diabetes, and pneumonia? What can save us, but also kill us?

The answer: hospitals. Despite advances in science and medicine, hospitals are dangerous places. Read on to see how this affects you, and what you can do to stay safe.

Dementia
Preserving the Humanity of Patients and Physicians

Leana Wen M.D. on March 4, 2013

Staying attuned to patients and their stories will improve diagnosis, enhance patient care, and preserve the humanity of patients and providers.

Staying attuned to patients and their stories will improve diagnosis, enhance patient care, and preserve the humanity of patients and providers.

Anxiety
4 Lessons From the Mother of a Chronically Ill Child

Leana Wen M.D. on February 2, 2013

How a mother of a chronically ill child became a patient advocate--and the 4 lessons she wants to share with doctors, nurses, and health providers.

How a mother of a chronically ill child became a patient advocate--and the 4 lessons she wants to share with doctors, nurses, and health providers.

Placebo
6 Lessons We Can Learn From Eastern Chinese Medicine

Leana Wen M.D. on January 27, 2013

A Harvard emergency physician visits China and is astounded by what she learns about Eastern medicine--and the lessons it has for patient care in the U.S.

A Harvard emergency physician visits China and is astounded by what she learns about Eastern medicine--and the lessons it has for patient care in the U.S.

Psychopharmacology
10 Things Not to Forget When You Next See Your Doctor

Leana Wen M.D. on January 12, 2013

While you can't always predict when you'll need to go to the doctor, you usually have some warning. Make sure to bring the following 10 items with you to every doctor's visit; it could just save your life.

While you can't always predict when you'll need to go to the doctor, you usually have some warning. Make sure to bring the following 10 items with you to every doctor's visit; it could just save your life.

Decision-Making
5 Steps to Forming a True Partnership With Your Doctor

Leana Wen M.D. on January 1, 2013

You may be dissatisfied and frustrated by the way your medical care is today, but there is a way to make it better. Here are 5 steps to establishing a partnership with your doctor and transforming your health.

You may be dissatisfied and frustrated by the way your medical care is today, but there is a way to make it better. Here are 5 steps to establishing a partnership with your doctor and transforming your health.