Evan Scott, Md. Levine
1 great book. A must read!
I agree with all the reviews here - this is a must read. But after you read it go give it to a friend - it could save their life. As for the one review from the Texas man....probably a criminal doctor or someone who works for the pharmaceutical companies!
2 What?
Ask the nurses who the good doctors are? Nurses like the doctors that are nice to them. The best doctors aren't always nice.
Go to a Teaching hospital if you can? So a resident can do your procedure and round on you? I think not.
Drug companies are out to rip us all off? Dr. Levine doesn't like drug companies because drugs like statins and ace inhibitors decrease his business.
Asked to be transferred during your care? So a new doctor that hasn't been following you can start all over.
Tell the ER doctor to call your Primary care doctor? So he can get whoever is on call for the group and knows nothing about you. Right. Lots of help.
Really weird stuff to come from an MD.
3 Honesty and Courage Personified
This incredibly valuable book is characterized by almost reckless honesty in combination with a concern for the welfare of patients that I have encountered nowhere else to date.
If it is read casually, there is much of critical value; if studied carefully, there is even more.
Dr. Levine had earned the gratitude of everyone who reads the book as well as all others because, with his trail blazing book, he has put the medical establishment on notice that they can no longer depend on the code of silence that has for so long protected inadequate and impaired heath care professionals. And it's high time.
4 Everyone Should Read
I can't express how important I believe this book to be. I am a business consultant of more than 30 years. I have read extensively in many areas of business - and in Health, Wealth, Happiness, and Success. I'm not a doctor. I'm not sure there isn't some exaggeration here. But, both Dr. Levine and what he says "feels" right. And, even if it isn't, it is a wonderful checklist of things to watch our for and check against. I plan to purchase additional copies for members of my family. I plan to recommend this book to those who attend my seminars.
5 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.
6 A Scathing Expose of our Medical System
Dr. Levine has opened the curtain to give the American people a "behind the scenes" look at our medical system: the pharmaceutical industry, insurance companies, hospitals, and physicians. It is my hope that enough people will read this book so that the ball will begin to roll in the direction of major changes.
Folks, this is a MUST READ. You owe it to yourself!
7 great book! Gutsy doctor!
Where are all the television and newspapers? They interview idiots like Suzanne Summers ( she just wrote? a book) yet this important book is not on any of the shows. Shame on the networks for not telling the country about this great book!
8 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....
9 Helped me get through some medical situations
This book was very informative especially as regards the reason why some doctors have so many sample meds to give to patients and go to so many seminars in really nice places. I had wondered about this issue for some time.
It also helped me deal with six different doctors this year. The title drew me to the book as I was having a number of difficulties dealing with these doctors as well as all of the tests that were being ordered.
I only wish I would have had this book to read in January. Better late than never. I have suggested this book to several friends.
10 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
11 Dr. Levine's expose` really opened my eyes !
His book is fascinating from start to finish. It exposes incompetent, sneaky, greedy, dangerous, and downright illegal practices; It shows how things should be run for the health, safety, and well-being of mankind; how greed and power have corrupted some people and companies at the expense of innocent victims; and how Dr. Levine's integrity and outrage drove him to expose it all.
12 I thought I knew everything until I read this book!!!!
I am a registered nurse and I've worked in both hospital and doctor's office. I found Dr.Levine's book very truthful and powerful. It's amazing that he covers everything from finding a TRUE good doctor and hospital to all the dirty little secrets about doctors, hospital administrative and pharmaceutical companies. Not only patients but also all healthcare workers should read this book. Health care has gotten so complicated that you really need to know what's going on to get the best care. I applaud him for his courage and his dedication to the patients.
13 what your doctor won't or can't tell you
I found this book to be a must read for those wanting to and needing to take charge of their own health care needs. Dr. Levine takes the reader on a journey into the depths of the health care maze which eventually guides them toward the light. That being, making not only the right decision but the best decision when choosing a personal physician. The book empowers us, the patient/consumer. It encourages us to ask questions and to take time when choosing a course of therapy. It is quite refreshing to see a physician willing to go out on a limb for the good of his patients. I enjoyed it from cover to cover.
14 amazing what I learned
Befor reading this book i took everything for granted. Now that I have finished reading the book I will not! Its great to ask your dr. for credentials for we have always gone by reccomendation. I always taken the doctors word as gospil as I never had any reason to doubt him. After readind Dr. Levines book i will always question them more.I never realized there were so many extra ways for everyone to make the extra dollar$.
Ive learned alot and would make this a must read book for everyone. THANK YOU DR.LEVINE
15 ONE OF THE MOST INFORMATIVE MEDICA BOOKS IO HAVE READ
This book was so informative and kept you reading for more information.It lets you know what to look for when picking a doctor,and hospital. It also tells the about bad doctors and treatment in hospitals and how to try and avoid them.This book is filled with so much pertinent information that you won't wan't to put it down once you start reading it to get more helpful information. It will help you to make smart decisions with your medical treatments by the medical profession.
16 Excellent Book
Since I am in a position where my husband and I have to deal with Dr's on a weekly basis, I find this book extremly helpful. Being from an older generation, we are not as well informed about the medical field as we should be and often times feel intimidated when we have to discuss particular issues with the Dr. Reading this book is giving us insight in many area's of medicine and I am very thankful that Dr. Levine has written this book. We need more Dr's like him. He is a lifesaver!!!
17 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.
