After sixty-years of medical practice, Dr. Fredric B. Garner, M.D., F.A.A.P., recognized a lack of formal efforts in the United States to educate the public about the healthcare industry. Unlike other countries where there are healthcare systems and care for all, the United States. is unique. Healthcare in the U.S. is a cottage industry with thousands of related but different parts, different processes. procedures, and out of control, and ever-increasing costs. The U.S. does not have the best outcomes of care worldwide, despite many national and industry-wide efforts to improve healthcare and control costs. The patient education model in the U.S could be described as a “learn by experience and repeat the same mistakes,” model. This book will help you properly navigate the healthcare industry and avoid common mistakes made by patients struggling to understand the bureaucracy and red-tape that often burdens the healthcare industry.

Dr. Garner recognizes the role and opportunities that patients have in healthcare quality, costs, and outcomes. There is an absence of curricula in public education with regard to healthcare, and a failure to recognize its negative effect on patients. Fortunately, there exists the opportunity to address and teach patients (the public) the necessary knowledge (HEALTH LITERACY) to communicate with providers, understand and speak language and other jargon unique to medical care, and how to utilize their healthcare resources to effectively manage costs. The solution is to self-educate, particularly young adults and parents. All About YOUR Healthcare lays the groundwork for understanding healthcare. Educational institutions employers, healthcare providers, and public officials may also use this instructive book for teaching and for educating the public.

All about YOUR Healthcare is a book to guide YOU in your pursuit of becoming health and healthcare literate. This goal is an absolute necessity. It is a “life demand” for you to understand in order to access and assess your healthcare, effectively communicate with providers, and contribute to your personal satisfaction. It may improve your own healthcare outcomes while meeting the challenge of controlling costs.

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