First Stop Health publishes e-book on healthcare

Dec. 13, 2012 — CHICAGO — The so-called American healthcare “system” is not a system at all and can better be described as “utter disorder and confusion, or the definition of chaos,” according to a physician’s new book on how to navigate the tricky shoals of healthcare. 

First Stop Health — an online, 24/7 medical concierge service for the middle class — just published an e-book by its chief medical officer, Dr. Mark Friedman. The book is titled, “Healthcare: The User's Manual — Navigating the Chaos of the ‘System’.”

“Healthcare in the 21st century has become so unbelievably complex that it requires a manual,” said Friedman. “Whether you have privately purchased medical insurance, some form of government insurance or no insurance at all, you need a guide to help keep you from becoming lost and overwhelmed and to help you succeed at getting the best healthcare (and the best health) possible.”

In addition to his role at First Stop Health, Friedman serves as assistant clinical professor of trauma and emergency medicine at the University of Connecticut and assistant clinical professor of emergency medicine at Quinnipiac University’s Frank Netter School of Medicine, Hamden, CT. He also helps design programs to prevent medical errors and malpractice litigation.

Chapters of “Healthcare: The User's Manual — Navigating the Chaos of the ‘System’” include:

• Quick start guide 
• Understanding the problems with healthcare 
• The healthcare game: The “players” 
• Step one: Medical insurance -- how to play like a pro 
• Step two: Access to care
• Step three: Dealing with the results of steps one and two 
• Troubleshooting: Where to turn for help 
• DIY: The do-it-yourself solution 
• Prevention: The best medicine 
• Alternative medicine: Alternatives to medicine  
• Parts list 

The full book is available for purchase on Amazon.

About First Stop Health
First Stop Health (www.FSHealth.com) is a first-of-its-kind, online and on-call, 24/7 medical concierge service for the middle class. It provides individuals and families with convenient, immediate and affordable access to more than 500 physicians. This core service is integrated into a platform that includes advice and help from health advocatesand tools to create electronic personal health records and find physicians and health facilities throughout the United States. First Stop Health also includes a concise collection of patient-friendly information, original commentary via health blogs and customizable news. Connect with First Stop Health on Facebook and on Twitter @FirstStopHealth.