Dr. Wen is passionate about guiding patients to advocate for better care. We here at RIZZARR were so inspired by her story and her book that we wanted to share it with our audience! (Photo courtesy of Dr. Leana Wen)
This woman is helping to make your next medical visit much more enjoyable and informative.
Dr. Leana Wen is an emergency physician at Brigham & Women’s/Massachusetts General Hospital, clinical fellow at Harvard Medical School, and a former Rhodes Scholar.
Inspired by her own childhood illness and then her mother’s long battle with cancer, Dr. Wen is passionate about guiding patients to advocate for better care.
She has been featured in TIME, Newsweek, ABC News, NPR, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, The New York Times, Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and the award-winning HBO documentary Reporter.
Dr. Wen speaks regularly across the U.S. and in Europe, Asia, and Africa to on simple yet effective ways for patients to take control of their health and her new book: When Doctors Don’t Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests.
We here at RIZZARR were so inspired by Wen’s life story and her book that we wanted to share it with our audience! Below is the interview that we had with her.
INTERVIEW WITH DR. LEANA WEN
1. What prompted you to write this book, When Doctors Don’t Listen: How To Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests?
When I was a medical student, my mother became very ill. She was weak; she short of breath; and she was coughing up blood. The doctors said she was fine for nearly a year–until she was finally diagnosed with with breast cancer. She passed away two years ago.
Through her illness, I saw how out of control patients can feel with their own health. I saw how important it is for patients to feel empowered in their interactions with their doctors.
That’s why I wrote When Doctors Don’t Listen. This book is for everyone. Some people think that it’s only aimed at people who have health problems. You shouldn’t learn about empowerment when you are ill; you need to be aware of what to do about it now.
Wen: “Don’t just consent to tests. Ask for a diagnosis before you leave the doctor’s office, because the treatments won’t make sense unless your diagnosis is correct.” (Photo courtesy of Dr. Leana Wen)
2. How they young adults and youth become empowered after reading your book?
Some people think that they can be empowered by Googling and diagnosing themselves. But that is not the right away to do things.
The first thing people should do is to practice telling their story. We know that 80 percent of diagnoses can be told based on your story. So it’s important to practice it well in advance.
I would also encourage people to write things down and practice with those around them in order to make that there story is coherent and makes sense. If their story doesn’t make sense to you, then it won’t make sense to your doctor.
Ask your doctor what he or she thinks you have. Don’t just consent to tests. Ask for a diagnosis before you leave the doctor’s office, because the treatments won’t make sense unless your diagnosis is correct.
3. Why do you believe this book is so needed in today’s day in time?
This book is a how-to guide on how to partner with your doctor. Other books tend to be about what you can do specifically, like if you have a particular disease such as diabetes or if you have an eating disorder. However, my book is about how you can actually become an empowered patient on whatever happens in your life. Not just when you get sick but also when you get well. It’s about partnering with your doctor to get the best care possible for your situation.
When Doctors Don’t Listen has 21 exercises to better empower yourself. It’s not just about how to get better treatment, but how you can get to that diagnosis.
Wen says her new book is a how-to guide on how to partner with your doctor.
4. From your experiences in the health industry, what health issues do you think that these two groups really need to be aware of?
There is a lot of attention that is placed on STDS, drug abuse, and smoking. Yes, those are important, but there are many other factors that should be taken into account when it comes to teens and young adults. For example, the personal health of teens (depression, mental disorders, etc.) and also injuries they may get from playing sports or driving.
Many teens are dealing with depression and often feel left out at school and as if they can’t fit in. Teens and young adults are especially feeling more pressure in today’s time, so this is something that they should seek help on if they are dealing with this.
Also, teens and young adults need to focus on their overall wellness in terms of making sure that they are eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep. It’s true that prevention is the best medicine!!
5. Why do you think that youth and young adults should realize that is so important for them to take care of themselves?
I believe that it’s never too late to start feeling more empowered to take care of your health. I believe it’s just about getting the information necessary, and communicating with your doctor, which is why empowerment is so critical.
6. What challenges have you faced in your life and how have you overcome them?
I am an immigrant. My family came from China to the United States when I was eight-years-old to seek better opportunities.
Life was difficult, as it is for all immigrant families. In particular, I found it difficult to navigate my career since I did not personally know anyone who was a doctor. I didn’t know how to be a doctor or anyone who had been a doctor in the U.S.
Looking back on that experience, I find that mentorship is very important. I have been lucky to have met people who have helped me along the way and guided me. THAT’S why I feel the need to give back globally as well. The world is interconnected, and everything that we do here is for the betterment of the world, so it’s important for us to have global awareness.
Wen: “I also travel across the U.S. and internationally to give talks to student about global health and to provide them with global health awareness.” (Photo courtesy of Dr. Leana Wen)
7. What notions and life-changing experiences have you had as you traveled the world, helping and teaching others?
I have a done a lot of work in international health, particularly in Africa and Asia. I also travel across the U.S. and internationally to give talks to student about global health and to provide them with global health awareness.
I strongly encourage students and everyone to go to seek out opportunities to become more globally-conscious and aware of different health situations within the world. Whether they get involved in helping with situations here or abroad, I think all of these experiences are important.
8. What would you say to anyone who is going after a dream, but is facing challenges in doing so?
Everything and anything is possible. Don’t let anything deter you. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible. Seek mentorship. Everyone who is successful will say that mentorship is key. Follow your passion. If you are really interested in something, you will make it happen.
Remember, too, that it is important to take care of yourself as you go after your dreams. Your health is really important. You may not think about your health now that you are young, but it important to take care of yourself. Don’t let it be too late before you do so.
To connect with Dr. Leana Wen, you can follow her on Twitter: @DrLeanaWen.
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