Synopses & Reviews
We've all been there, sitting uncomfortably in a paper gown as a doctor impassively describes our prognosis. Sometimes it's simple and treatable. Other times we get news we can't fathom and then are faced with decisions that are literally life and death.
In this revolutionary book, physician, behavioral scientist, and bioethicist Peter Ubel, M.D., reveals how hidden dynamics in the doctor/patient relationship keep us and our loved ones from making the best medical choices. From doctors who struggle to explain, to patients who fail to properly listen, countless factors alter the course of our care, causing things to go seriously awry.
With riveting stories of Ubel's own experience in the field, his groundbreaking research, and his personal journey walking loved ones through difficult treatment choices, Critical Decisions will forever change the way we communicate inside hospitals and medical offices, where thoughtful decision making matters the most. Dr. Ubel has been on both ends of the stethoscope, and in this book, he shows how patients and doctors can learn to become partners and work together to make the right choices. From choosing to get surgery, to discussing the side effects of a blood pressure medication, we can finally discover the tools to improve communication, understand the issues, and make confident decisions for our future health and happiness.
Review
"The doctor's office is the worst place to make a mistake. 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." < b=""> Dan Ariely <> , Duke University, Author of < i=""> Predictably Irrational <>
Review
“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.” < b=""> Dan Ariely <> , bestselling author of < i=""> The Honest Truth About Disohnesty <> and < i=""> Predictably Irrational <>
Review
“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.” Library Journal
Review
“Ubels advice for doctors is solid, and his suggestions for patients are equally sage.” Booklist
Synopsis
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."
Synopsis
“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.
Synopsis
We've all been there, sittinguncomfortably in a paper gownas a doctor impassively describesour prognosis. Sometimes it's simple andtreatable. Other times we get news wecan't fathom and then are faced withdecisions that are literally life and death.
In this revolutionary book, physician,behavioral scientist, and bioethicist PeterUbel, M.D., reveals how hidden dynamicsin the doctor/patient relationship keepus and our loved ones from making thebest medical choices. From doctors whostruggle to explain, to patients who failto properly listen, countless factors alterthe course of our care, causing things togo seriously awry.
With riveting stories of Ubel's own experiencein the field, his groundbreakingresearch, and his personal journey walkingloved ones through difficult treatmentchoices, Critical Decisions will foreverchange the way we communicate insidehospitals and medical offices, wherethoughtful decision making matters themost. Dr. Ubel has been on both endsof the stethoscope, and in this book,he shows how patients and doctorscan learn to become partners and worktogether to make the right choices. Fromchoosing to get surgery, to discussingthe side effects of a blood pressure medication,we can finally discover the toolsto improve communication, understandthe issues, and make confident decisionsfor our future health and happiness.
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.