Critical Decisions: How You and Your Doctor Can Make the Right Medical Choices Together

by Peter A. Ubel

Overview

“As a physician and a social scientist, Peter Ubel is unparalleled in his understanding of some of the most important decisions we are facing, or will face.”
—Dan Ariely, New York Times bestselling author of Predictably Irrational

“His ideas are important, his style is accessible (with the right balance of humor and compassion) and his topic is timely.”
—Dan Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness and host of “This Emotional Life”

All too often, problems in communication between a doctor and patient can lead to bad medical decisions. As a practicing physician and a behavioral scientist, Dr. Peter Ubel has a unique understanding of this dangerous situation—and in Critical Decisions he addresses the problem while revealing a new revolution in medical decision-making. Critical Decisions combines eye-opening medical stories with groundbreaking behavioral science research, while offering important information and common sense solutions to promote better doctor/patient relationships thereby ensuring that the right decision will be made in life-saving medical situations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062103888
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	09/11/2012
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
File size:	545 KB

About the Author

Peter A. Ubel, M.D.,is a physician and a behavioral scientistat Duke University. An internationally renownedwriter and researcher, he is theauthor of three books: Pricing Life, You'reStronger Than You Think, and Free MarketMadness. He writes for numerous sciencepublications as well as the New York Times,the Los Angeles Times, Psychology Today,and The New England Journal of Medicine.

What People are Saying About This

Dan Ariely

“Decisions affecting our health and our loved ones’ are some of the most important that we make. As a physician and social scientist, Peter Ubel is unparalleled in his understanding of the influences that guide our medical decisions, and here he shows us how we can make better decisions.”

Editorial Reviews

Ubel’s advice for doctors is solid, and his suggestions for patients are equally sage.

Booklist

Decisions affecting our health and our loved ones’ are some of the most important that we make. As a physician and social scientist, Peter Ubel is unparalleled in his understanding of the influences that guide our medical decisions, and here he shows us how we can make better decisions.

Dan Ariely

As Ubel (business administration & medicine, Duke Univ.; Free Market Madness: Why Human Nature Is at Odds with Economics—and Why It Matters) explains, while doctors are trained to diagnosis symptoms and recommend treatment, many are not trained in communication. This fact is at odds with a growing movement to encourage patients to work proactively with their physicians to determine their options. Ubel, a behavioral scientist and physician, uses examples, case studies, and personal accounts to explore the patient/doctor relationship. The process of making medical decisions is considered from the perspective of the patient and the physician. A doctor may believe he or she is explaining a condition or treatment option clearly, notes Ubel, but may nevertheless be unconsciously giving a biased opinion or using terminology the patient does not understand. Meanwhile, the patient may be too overwhelmed to ask for clarification. The section "Eight Tips To Help You and Your Doctor Make Better Decisions Together" consolidates the author's advice and makes for a helpful review before a visit to the doctor. VERDICT Written with clarity and a touch of humor, this is a quick and thoughtful read, a good choice for patients, and a must for medical professionals.—Susanne Caro, Univ. of Montana Lib., Missoula

Library Journal