Product Description

What does a patient need to know in order to increase the chances of a successful outcome, and how does he or she get that information?  How does one negotiate the baffling world of choices, options, and jargon that every one of us is likely to encounter some time in our lives? That is the subject of Dr. Gary Gitnick’s invaluable book, providing the insights and tips he has acquired over a lifetime in medicine. What Gary Gitnick wants to do is increase the odds for success, and in Getting Well he has produced the ultimate insider’s guide to medical care.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1801855 in Books
• Published on: 2008-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 124 pages

About the Author
Doctor to various high-profile politicians and celebrities, GARY GITNICK, M.D. is Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Digestive Diseases at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. Creator of the California Health Corps program, he’s served on the Medical Board of California for eight years and has published/edited over sixty books, including Freedom From Digestive Distress (Random House, trade paper, 2000).

Customer Reviews

not much of value

This book is mistitled - it has nothing to do with getting well or staying that way, except in the most roundabout way.

This book is almost entirely about how to understand the "illness business" (what some clowns call a "healthcare system") in the U.S. today. There are many good bits about the workings of the system here, but much more can be found for free on the web.

There is much about how to understand the behavior of the system and how to get the most benefit out of it, including how to be a nice (read compliant and obedient) patient. (It is written by a doctor, after all.)

His information about HIPPA is very superficial, as is his info about living wills.

What minor attempts at health advice do leak in are purely mainstream allopathic medicine, and not very up to date at that. For example, the information about generic medicines being identical to name brand drugs is misleading. The main ingredients may be the same, but the amounts, quality, and other ingredients ("binders, fillers, and excipients") can vary radically - sometimes in favor of the generics!

An MD has almost no real education in nutrition, so his dietary advice is not worth reading. He basically follows "the party line" as dictated from on high, including the obligatory plug for the scientifically disproven cholesterol scam. (Big dollars in cholesterol-reducing drugs.) He does touch lightly on the control of the medical field by outside interests, but falls far short of really informing the reader of the incredible sham that corporate interests foist on the public under the guise of "healthcare."

He also espouses the (disproven) ideas that calorie restriction is the key to weight loss, and that eating fats is bad for you. There are so many things wrong with his dietary advice that I could write several pages on that alone (don't worry, I'll spare you), so all I will say is to read Weston Price, Ron Schmid, Sally Fallon, Mary Enig, and others of that ilk. You will get information that may improve your life, even if it doesn't pad corporate pockets.

He also gives short shrift to alternative medicine, despite the fact that there is considerable scientific evidence for the efficacy of many of those practices. Homeopathy has been shown to be as effective as vaccination with virtually no side effects. Herbal and naturopathic medicine is the basis for regular allopathic medicine, so I always have a chuckle when allopathic doctors trash the very basis for their own practice. Pharmaceuticals (the most effective ones) are mostly chemically modified forms of natural medicines which can be patented to create massive profits. The rise of "Big Pharm" since World War II is a fascinating study in cultural control and manipulation (some would say conspiracy), and will surprise (and scare) you. Look into it sometime.

Oh, and in case you didn't know, studies have shown allopathic medicine to be the third leading cause of death in the U.S., which isn't surprising considering that as much as 80% of current allopathic practices have never been properly tested in a scientific manner.

The bottom line is that while there may be some tips in here for getting more out of the system, there is nothing in here which will radically improve your life or your health.

Some good basics - short on specifics
This could be a useful book for someone facing extensive medical work. There's good basic advice on how to interact with nurses, docs and hospitals. It also covers some common situations like eating and drinking while traveling. As an introduction the the subject it has value, especially to someone who is panicked and needs some simple answers, fast.

At 120 pages, there's not a lot of detail, though, and answers are not particularly in depth. Think Sunday supplement level of coverage. Maybe because Dr Gitnick is "physician to the stars" (hey, it's right on the cover) he might reach someone who isn't used to conducting their own research or who hasn't read Bernie Siegel.

I want to give the book 3 1/2 stars but am rounding the rating up. It's not a bad book, just lightweight both is size and coverage.

If you or someone your love interfaces with Doctor - you need this book
Most people hate going to the doctor unless they are dying or feel like they are close to it. The reason why is because it's like they speak another language and make the patients feel inferior.

Well, this book will give you the courage, confidence and chutzpah to deal with doctors, health insurance folks and other medical personnel with ease. I loved the way the book was laid out and it gave you real "meat" to sink your teeth into if you or a loved one is going through cancer treatment or any kind of disease that is frightening.

It's like a trusty handbook you need when you are waiting in the doctor's office - reading it will give you the right questions to ask to get the right solutions. Good book.


Pam Perry
Chocolate Pages Reviews
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