(Snippets from the frontline)
A note on notes
My cell phone stopped working as a tower near my home failed. Many of us have had this happen, leading to a mistaken sense of vulnerability not having access to the outside world.
In the meantime, I decided to upgrade my system so haggled and purchased a new phone online from my too-big-to-fail cell phone carrier. A two-week battle started with errors on their part, then hours of endless calls, delivery of the wrong phone, and transfers to higher ups apologizing yet not rectifying the problem.
This is similar to what patients and families face clashing with too-big-to-fail healthcare systems and their computer-screen minions.
To their dismay, I kept notes, with names and dates I used in the battle. They could not argue with my counterpoints. My notes kept conversations focused on truthful details, bringing accountability to the discussion with indisputable facts.
Lesson learned: Like my cell phone, if you or your loved one stop working, keep good notes.
It might not only save money, but also your life.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
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