That’s what Susannah Fox just said on her blog.

It’s amazing: for years I’ve admired the wisdom of her research and insights at the Pew Internet and American Life project; heck, I quote her juiciest statistics in every speech I give. (To find them easily, I even suggested they create a tips page bit.ly/PewHealthTips – and they did, because they listen.) And since the book summarizes what I’ve learned in my travels, of course it’s in the book.

So imagine my surprise and pleasure when Susannah said today in a tweet [below right] that in Let Patients Help, she learned new things about her own data!

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This weekend I received a note of support for my new book that moved me, partly because of who it was from, but also because he gets it: patient engagement isn’t just about care providers listening to patients. Patients need to be engaged – to get it in gear – to speak up about what they want, and be active partners in their care.

The note came from Jim Conway, one of my greatest inspirations in this journey:

Dave, I just finished Let Patients Help! Simply, Bravo!

While I am a confirmed fanatic of patient and family centered care, and would endorse the book enthusiastically for that, I read it as much this week as a patient. I’ve been having some problems with my diabetes and blood sugar—nothing big—and it triggered strong reflections on my care partnership and my role also as a member of my team.

Much like you, I have a strong team with access to great info (Open Notes and PatientSite). Yet like many healthcare professionals, I can move into a shell, or even sulk, when it is about me. The Ten Fundamental Truths About Health and Care not only confronts the license we all have to be engaged in our own care but also comfortably helps us use it for a collective good.

Thanks to you and Danny for a job well done on a journey we all must take.

For information on how to buy this book ($8 or less), see the book’s web page. As reviewer Catherine Rose said on Amazon, “it’s cheaper than most parking fees at the hospital.”:-)

And please, tell friends … and your contacts in medicine. It’s concise, designed to be worth the time for every reader, patient and clinician alike. It really could help improve health and care.

If you don’t know Jim …

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Just a quick note as the weekend ends –

The book launch celebration for Let Patients Help has finished. Over 1500 copies are in circulation now, including both ebooks and the print edition.

I’ve updated the book’s web page, with the complete list of links to all the places to buy it online, and the newest praise, which I love:

“There’s not a doctor or patient in the land who won’t benefit from reading this clear, concise manual which sets out how each can contribute and collaborate to get better and safer healthcare.”

Dr. Tessa Richards, Analysis Editor, British Medical Journal

Thanks for everyone’s support! And remember, now that the book’s finished, the real work begins: spreading the word in earnest, and getting zillions of people to know what’s in it.

I have a suggestion, a bold one, to go large with this cause:

Buy and distribute a pile of this book. Here.

I say that because of the strong response it’s getting. As any proud parent (or author) would be, I’m thrilled at the response to Let Patients Help. I mean, I’m little ol’ me, with no big marketing department, no publicist, etc, but in the past 11 days well over 1,300 people have downloaded the free ebook offer (which ends Saturday), and scores of people have purchased the print edition.

It’s really interesting when people buy something they could get for free. They must like it.

Meanwhile, @DoctorCaldwell here in the U.K., where I just spoke at a conference, downloaded it and already said this on Twitter:

@ePatientDave Dear Dave that didn’t take 90 mins to read!

Yes, I made it short – so it’s worth reading. He continues:

How do I get 100 copies to use with my inpatients? :-) :-) Gordon

Why not?? It reminded me of what famous doctor @Berci said on the back cover: [Read more…]

Updated 4/21:

• This promotion has ended, with over 1,500 copies now in circulation, including print and e-books!
• The links below will still let you buy, in print or ebook formats (ePub for iBook, Kindle, PDF, etc)
• See also Saturday’s post suggesting bulk purchases to further the movement and help transform your practice.

The original post:

This week only – through Saturday, April 20:

1. Free e-book download!

There’s an amazing self-publishing site called Smashwords that gives me total control over distribution of my e-book editions.

Through Saturday, get it FREE on Smashwords!  Not an excerpt – the whole book!  In Kindle format, or ePub (for Apple iBook and others), PDF, and a slew of other formats!

• Click here and SCROLL DOWN to the download list (“available ebook reading formats”).
• Questions? See their support FAQ. If that fails, write to support@epatientdave.com and we’ll do our best to help.

2. 50% off on the print edition!

Also through Saturday, get the print edition on CreateSpace at HALF PRICE! At checkout, copy & paste this discount code LMQ6RVTF in the “apply discount” box.

Note: CreateSpace lets me set my own price and discounts, but they do not have overnight delivery. Right now it’s showing delivery in a week or so, depending on shipping speed. For quick delivery (at list price), use Amazon:

3. Live on Amazon!

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