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Assumptions Can Mislead: Failures in Health Care and Elsewhere
This book is based on stunning true stories about people of all ages in a wide variety of situations. The stories illustrate how unrecognized, incorrect assumptions can cause mistakes, misunderstandings, and tragic outcomes. Assumptions are interwoven into the very fabric of our lives. When we make an assumption we take something for granted. We accept it as fact. The stories also show our need to be respected and understood, the types of assumptions we make, and how we can recognize assumptions before we make them. This is a book about us and how our assumptions affect us. The stories led to the book's title and chapter titles. Most chapters begin with stories. Some of the twenty-one chapter titles are: Urgent!; Tenacious Assumptions, Dogged Beliefs; Automatic Assumptions Can Mislead; Betrayed; Now Will You Listen; Our Doctors Need Our Stories; When We Are Patients; Hospitals; Recognizing Assumptions. Because medical errors are a serious problem, we, as patients, and our medical professionals need to be aware of incorrect assumptions that can compromise our care. Orlando has shown us how we can recognize assumptions and get the story right. Whether in health care or elsewhere, getting the story right can sometimes be crucial.
- GenresNonfictionPsychology
228 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 17, 2018
An interesting accounting and collection of stories about where the Health Care system has failed. In particular, the author provides valuable insight into some of the issues that surround the Health care system especially those relating to how doctors handle patients.
There is one line in particular that does well to sum up the importance of the book. "When professionals and others behave [and act] from inaccurate, unverified assumptions[,] situations can escalate." (P. 8) From that point, the author goes on to use these different accounts and patient stories to show how this system can be improved to better treat the patients or to otherwise increase the efficiency of diagnosing and treating.
As an added bonus, the author included some interesting exercises in order for the patient/reader to improve their own lives.
While I am not in the medical field, the lessons contained in this book are far reaching and should be at least considered in improving other areas of life and society.
Overall, this was a truly well written collection of memories and recollections of those that suffered because of the issues that have arisen.
**PS: I received this as a part of a giveaway.
There is one line in particular that does well to sum up the importance of the book. "When professionals and others behave [and act] from inaccurate, unverified assumptions[,] situations can escalate." (P. 8) From that point, the author goes on to use these different accounts and patient stories to show how this system can be improved to better treat the patients or to otherwise increase the efficiency of diagnosing and treating.
As an added bonus, the author included some interesting exercises in order for the patient/reader to improve their own lives.
While I am not in the medical field, the lessons contained in this book are far reaching and should be at least considered in improving other areas of life and society.
Overall, this was a truly well written collection of memories and recollections of those that suffered because of the issues that have arisen.
**PS: I received this as a part of a giveaway.
March 28, 2019
I received a free paperback copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I didn't really know what to expect from this book, but it consists of dozens of quick (3-4 paragraph) stories from the author's time as a nurse. The author studied with a nursing instructor who invented something called the Orlando Method, which can basically be summarized as, listen to what your patients say, and don't assume anything. As someone not in the healthcare industry, this seems hugely obvious, but I guess it needs to be said since the Orlando Method had to be defined. One thing that wasn't discussed in this book, but I have heard about elsewhere, is the prevalence of racial biases being demonstrated by medical personnel, in their dismissal of patients of color's experiences.
The short anecdotes about patients were interesting, but made the whole book quite fragmented. The author groups them into 3-4 stories per chapter, and concludes each chapter by discussing the similarities and differences between each situation. I felt these summaries made reading the book more difficult, actually, because they repeated what had just been said. They were then re-synopsized in the penultimate chapter of the book! Despite the chapter organization, I didn't feel clearly-defined differences between chapter subjects, making the whole book seem quite rambling. The writing style was also pretty wordy, and at times the stories were a little difficult to follow because of unnecessary and irrelevant descriptions (for example, long descriptions of the outfit a patient was wearing, or how a patient and their loved one are related). Altogether, this book could have used a good editor.
The first appendix seems very pseudoscientific to me, though I am a layperson and the author is a trained nurse...
Perhaps I would have found the content of this book more compelling if it were in a different format - for example, it would be great as a blog, since many of the patient stories were very interesting!
I didn't really know what to expect from this book, but it consists of dozens of quick (3-4 paragraph) stories from the author's time as a nurse. The author studied with a nursing instructor who invented something called the Orlando Method, which can basically be summarized as, listen to what your patients say, and don't assume anything. As someone not in the healthcare industry, this seems hugely obvious, but I guess it needs to be said since the Orlando Method had to be defined. One thing that wasn't discussed in this book, but I have heard about elsewhere, is the prevalence of racial biases being demonstrated by medical personnel, in their dismissal of patients of color's experiences.
The short anecdotes about patients were interesting, but made the whole book quite fragmented. The author groups them into 3-4 stories per chapter, and concludes each chapter by discussing the similarities and differences between each situation. I felt these summaries made reading the book more difficult, actually, because they repeated what had just been said. They were then re-synopsized in the penultimate chapter of the book! Despite the chapter organization, I didn't feel clearly-defined differences between chapter subjects, making the whole book seem quite rambling. The writing style was also pretty wordy, and at times the stories were a little difficult to follow because of unnecessary and irrelevant descriptions (for example, long descriptions of the outfit a patient was wearing, or how a patient and their loved one are related). Altogether, this book could have used a good editor.
The first appendix seems very pseudoscientific to me, though I am a layperson and the author is a trained nurse...
Perhaps I would have found the content of this book more compelling if it were in a different format - for example, it would be great as a blog, since many of the patient stories were very interesting!
November 22, 2018
Note that I received this book from the Goodreads giveaway.
I entered the giveaway because the description of the book seemed interesting. Over the years my family has had a lot of issues in the medical system because of doctors and other medical personnel who have been less than ideal for one matter or another. I don’t give three started this book because I disagree with message or don’t like the book. On the contrary, I think the book covers important topic and for the most part the author makes their case.
The majority of the book is focused on how assumptions, both in the medical field and outside of it, and have a fax that range from disappointments and frustrations, or in extreme cases an avoidable death. The booklist more than a few examples, it’s something I always appreciate is that much of the information is sourced so you can verify anything that you have questions on.
That being said. I feel at times the author goes on longer than necessary discussing a point, and more than a few times I feel the author unnecessarily recapped information that they stated on numerous occasions. I didn’t need to be re-told some of the stories two or three times, and there is a difference between recalling the story to focus a point, and what feels like needless recap that doesn’t expand or build the point you are trying to make.
Despite this, and some minor frustrations I had when I tried to source certain information. I did enjoy this book, and I think it’s an especially important book for people who are in the medical field, as many in the industry could benefit from what is being said.
I entered the giveaway because the description of the book seemed interesting. Over the years my family has had a lot of issues in the medical system because of doctors and other medical personnel who have been less than ideal for one matter or another. I don’t give three started this book because I disagree with message or don’t like the book. On the contrary, I think the book covers important topic and for the most part the author makes their case.
The majority of the book is focused on how assumptions, both in the medical field and outside of it, and have a fax that range from disappointments and frustrations, or in extreme cases an avoidable death. The booklist more than a few examples, it’s something I always appreciate is that much of the information is sourced so you can verify anything that you have questions on.
That being said. I feel at times the author goes on longer than necessary discussing a point, and more than a few times I feel the author unnecessarily recapped information that they stated on numerous occasions. I didn’t need to be re-told some of the stories two or three times, and there is a difference between recalling the story to focus a point, and what feels like needless recap that doesn’t expand or build the point you are trying to make.
Despite this, and some minor frustrations I had when I tried to source certain information. I did enjoy this book, and I think it’s an especially important book for people who are in the medical field, as many in the industry could benefit from what is being said.
January 3, 2019
Enlightening and powerful anecdotes and interpretations of them. Stories like these help to empower individuals and groups to insist on proper treatment and procedure, and open doors for those to speak about their experience(s) in various fields and/or communities that may not be as effective or safe as they might be.
January 19, 2020
Well written with a combination of personal anecdotes and well researched examples. Though her communication strategies are based on a specific nursing theory, the concepts apply to not only health care but also to other industry as well as personal communication strategies. The author is a professional expert who draws on her own experiences which makes the read more interesting and personal.
June 30, 2019
Book begins with compelling stories and examples - after about 50 pages we start to repeat - some paragraphs literally had 3-4 sentences that were word for word repetition, possibly I guess only to bulk up the book. Some of the examples of each problem I thought were at times too cut and dry.
December 23, 2018
didnt like so i donated to local library
June 18, 2019
Very interesting!
December 2, 2019
**I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.**
The author uses a lot of stories to make her points and the Orlando theory was easily understood using them. She also goes on to explain how the Orlando theory can be used by any profession. Though it starts off with you thinking you knew about the simple theory, when you see it in application you realize how crucial it is to understand and apply an Orlando theory model is.
The author uses a lot of stories to make her points and the Orlando theory was easily understood using them. She also goes on to explain how the Orlando theory can be used by any profession. Though it starts off with you thinking you knew about the simple theory, when you see it in application you realize how crucial it is to understand and apply an Orlando theory model is.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews