Some Insight Into HAI
Our Philosophy
Jeff has a unique understanding of healthcare, from his global healthcare experiences to his own family health challenges. He formed Healthcare Advocates International LLC as a result of listening to Americans across the country who need healthcare guidance, explained in straightforward English, to survive the healthcare maze. Unpreparedness is not an option in Jeff’s vocabulary, as healthcare becomes more and more complex. With over 133 million Americans today with chronic diseases, medical facilities are full.
When you add humans into an overloaded complex system errors occur.!
Over 100,000 Americans die every year in hospitals due to medical errors
Our healthcare system is a maze which most of us are unable to navigate.
When you need a healthcare provider, do you feel unprepared, scared and out of control?
Whom do we trust to support us during this challenging time?
HAI can provide the personal support and information to successfully navigate the healthcare maze.
We prepare you to be able to make better informed decisions regarding your healthcare.
“Jeff Knott has written a truly enlightening book. This is a must read for anyone contemplating a medical adventure and who isn’t! The insight and suggestions contained in the book are a valuable compendium for what to do, questions to ask and knowledge into the complex world of medicine for those in need of medical care”.
Hugo A. Keim, MD Former Professor of Orthopedics and Chief of Spinal Surgery Columbia University, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York City, N. Y.
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"Navigating The Healthcare Maze could have been titled “A Clarion Call to Patient Empowerment”. In this book, Jeff Knott has clearly defined the need for patients to take their singular role in the pursuit of healthcare and prevention. Stressing the need for preparedness, appropriate investigations, and open discourse with physicians, he has defined the central need to reform the current healthcare system (from the patients’ viewpoint) by re-empowering the doctor-patient relationship. After all that has been and will be written about this complex industry, all decisions, actions, therapies, and results begin with the Doctor listening to the Patient…"
Benedict S. Maniscalco, MD Chairman/CEO, Heartbeat International
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"Jeff Knott’s book is both inspiring and sobering. He brings humor into the waiting room and the hospital as well as a strong sense of patient (and patience) empowerment. A must read for people who care about a system that could be made better step-by-step."
Phyllis Busansky Faculty, Department of Public Health, Columbia University
Go to Jeff for his Monthly Tip
PREPARING FOR A DOCTOR’S VISIT
The more prepared you are for a doctor’s visit the more confident you will be.
Before you visit your doctor:
۰ Pad and pen
۰ Write down 3 key symptoms
۰ Write down all the questions you want to ask the doctor… no question is a stupid question! ۰ Prepare your family’s medical history and take to your doctor’s appointment
۰ Take along all your current medications in a zip lock bag
Jeff's book "Navigating the Healthcare Maze" has
many practical tips -remember when the doctor
gives you a prescription ask the office to call in to
your pharmacist so all you have to do is go and
pick the medication up-rather than wait for the
prescription to be filled.
۰Keep a copy of your medications-name, dosage, frequency in your billfold.
۰Take along all your Insurance ID cards and driver’s license
۰Take along your credit cards and check book
۰ If you are internet savvy-
Don't try and become a qualified doctor with one session on the internet checking out the various medical web sites. It surely doesn‟t hurt to look, but you can easily be scared into a specific ailment that has similar symptoms and you could be completely wrong.. look more for good questions to ask-e.g. check out “google search”-subject- anatomy and physiology-have a better understanding of the workings of your body..
۰ Identify an advocate to go with you
Select a person whom you trust, who is not hysterical, level-headed and listens and observes well-so that if you want a person to go with you to the doctor, they become your second pair of ears and eyes. Amazing when you leave the doctor‟s office, you will only remember patches of what the doctor said to you. That it is also why you should have the doctor repeat potential diagnosis and treatment.
۰ If you are internet savvy-
۰ Clothes
Wear clothes that are easy to disrobe in case your visit requires an examination.
۰ Dirty magazines
Yes there are dirty magazines in doctor‟s offices-and no…not what you are thinking. Imagine all the sick people that touched those magazines before you! Always have a good book or magazine to take with you-doctor‟s office magazines are wonderful if you want to catch up on your history of years gone by-that is how old some office magazines are-. Remember, the doctor‟s office waiting room is full of sick people including you!!
