The Take Charge Patient

The Take-Charge Patient: How You Can Get the Best Medical Care
Martine Ehrenclou, M.A.
Lemon Grove Press
2012
Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-9815240-3-0
$19.95
306 pages

Who is the one person who is most responsible for the quality of your health
care? It’s not your doctor.
It’s you.

When you’re sick, really sick, you call the doctor. Then the average person
trusts that the doctor has the correct diagnosis and then prescribes proper treatment to get you back to
normal. This sounds fairly simple but in reality can be a complete nightmare, especially if the
diagnosis is wrong and the prescription does not heal the real problem. What do you do then?

While writing this book, the author, Martine Ehrenclou, had developed a pain which became worse. She went to a variety of doctors which prescribed many different treatments, including surgeries.

Eventually, after many painful challenges that were literally debilitating, she was able to have a correct diagnosis and was able to have surgery to solve the initial problem. These experiences ended up being the perfect guideline for her utilizing her own recommendations to this
excellent resource.

The suggestions and information in The Take-Charge Patient are practical and realistic. The writing style is easy to understand and keeps the reading interested as each chapter continues. From the medical aspect, if you actually follow through with the author’s suggestion, any doctor should be thrilled about any patient being so involved with their care.

The medical records sections are well-written and informative. Most people keep records for their pets. Why would it seem strange not to also keep your own medical records? Ms. Ehrenclou explains exactly what needs to be kept and the reasons for this. Her information on obtaining the best medical care is well-researched but should not be overwhelming for anyone, especially when the person who benefits the most from this is yourself.

As I was reading The Take-Charge Patient, I felt that Martine Ehrenclou was singing to the choir but much of her book had new information that is helpful for everyone. Having a mother who did exactly what her doctor prescribed until it literally killed her and having a non-curable, but treatable disease, I am well aware of the medical profession, the expectations, the trust or lack of, the insurance companies, the pharmaceutical companies, are just some of the influences that
can lead any doctor in a different direction.

The author, Martine Ehrenclou has earned her Master’s Degree in psychology from Pepperdine University. She has worked as a journalist, ghostwritier, public relations professional, and facilitated a program for at-risk teenagers. Through her own experiences, now she works as an advocate for patients with her websites, www.TheTakeChargePatient.com and www.CriticalConditions.com.

The Take-Charge Patient is a resource that should be available in every home, business, and medical facility.