In search of the best -- why we wrote the story

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Few people bat an eye when high-profile leaders such as Sen. Edward Kennedy travel far from home to seek medical care for a life-threatening condition. He has access, name recognition, resources -- of course he’d be able to identify, and get, the best possible treatment for his brain tumor.

The Health section could have done a story on the doctors involved or on Kennedy’s condition. Either would have been relevant to some people and simply interesting to others. But what is most relevant to the most readers is how they too can get the best care possible. That’s why we wrote this week’s story, Patients go on a quest for the best medical care.

Not only can average Americans get such care for unusual or high-risk conditions, they routinely do so. First they have to gather information about their condition, compile treatment data, identify the practitioners or institution that might be able to help, set up various consultations and then convince the insurers involved. None of this is easy.

That’s not to say everyone should go off in search of experimental treatment and decide they want a specific therapy regardless of whether it’s appropriate. Doctors play a crucial role. And, often, traditional care is most appropriate.

But at the end of the day, it’s the patient’s health, the patient’s life, at stake. Tales of those who fought for what they thought was best -- and prevailed -- are legion.

So at those times when you’re on your own, it’s good to know you have the resources and the ability to take charge, to find out what’s right for you and to push for it. We tell you how.

-- Tami Dennis