Driver's seat patient who failed driver's ed

Although much more could be said, the Driver's Seat Patients blog thinks this video poignantly illustrates a) how patients and doctors are bumbling their way from a paternalistic doctor-patient relationship to one of shared decision making; b) why puppets should never use iphones; c) what happens when doctors pursue puppetry; d) some puppets who might benefit from a plastic surgeon's groupon deal.

The Too Informed Patient from Marketplace on Vimeo.

Getting in the driver's seat of your bank

The DSP blog is stumped and would appreciate your input:

1)  why are the maps to put us in the driver's seat of our money seemingly so much superior than those maps for us in the driver's seat of our health?  (Take a look at Mint.com--it is simply incredible!  and it is leaves health sites in the dust).

2)  of all of the sites you know, which health site comes the closest to Mint.com

Doctors inviting customers, I mean, patients, via Groupon

Still not convinced that doctors see you as a customer?  One plastic surgery group in Boston used Groupon to get the word out that Groupon ?patients could get laser hair removal for less than 25% of the normal $800 price.  Despite the DSP blog spouse's unfair comments about the ever increasing amount of hair on the DSP blog's back, the DSP blog was not in need of the hair removal offer.  However, it was disappointed that it could no longer by the cellulite treatment ($249 value) for its sisters (deal has expired).

The DSP blog anticipates the situations like this will increasingly force patients to make customer-like decisions with greater frequency.  Those who know best how to evaluate these ads placed under their windshield wiper will best be able to know which ones they should throw away and which ones they should pursue.

Even if you don't subscribe to Groupon, those reading this sentence may finish reading it for 50% off, today only.

Like it or not, you're being thrust into the driver's seat

Should patients be viewed as customers?  Is it appropriate to suggest that patients get in the driver's seat?  If billboards are advertising joint replacement, lap band specials can be found on the internet, and you can find out if you're at increased risk for experiencing muscle pain while taking statins, and you can directly access these services without going through a gatekeeper, then I would suggest that to a large extent, you are at the very least being viewed as a customer by many health care manufacturers, doctors, and hospitals.

If so, who do you turn to know whether you should pursue any of these flyers left under your windshield wiper while you're getting the groceries?  Or do you just throw them away?  Wouldn't it be nice if there was a "consumer reports" to turn to?   Interestingly, there is.  Not only that, it helps you sift through the small print that you might have otherwise missed, like the part about what percentage of patients that pursue lap band surgery love it so much that they have the band removed.  (about 1/3 need revision or removal of the band according to this reputable source).

Although Consumer Reports is great,  let's see it for what it is--a great map to have in your glove compartment.  But to figure out the best destination, make sure you have a primary care physician in the passenger seat that you enjoy talking to and will help you figure out which destination makes the most sense.

Sarah Palin talks about Driver's Seat Patients Blog in embarrassing interview

Okay, so I am engaging in some self-promotional behavior. I was, yeah, just a little surprised, and I must admit, somewhat flattered, when Sarah Palin mentioned this young blog, admittedly during what must have been a somewhat embarrassing situation for her, so, yeah.