Unabridged Audiobook
I selected this book the moment I read the title. Even the blurb had me convinced it would be worth my time. I know the social media health world runs on stories and big emotions, not good research. So I was ready to dig in. The author and I do not share a worldview. I am an American nurse and patient advocate. I believe every person is the CEO of their own health. They are responsible for building their care team, learning about their condition, and making their own decisions. I also value free speech and individual autonomy. The author writes from a UK, socialized medicine perspective. She believes government needs to control healthcare access and information because the average person might not choose wisely. Most of my disagreements with this book trace back to that difference. The author identifies real problems—the lack of nuance on social media, clicks driven by big transformations instead of balanced education, risks buried under inspiring stories. I agree with the problems. I disagree with her solutions. Over and over, her answer was more government involvement. Take elective testing. I teach my podcast listeners how to interpret their own labs and how to access testing outside their doctor or insurance when needed. Patient autonomy matters. Doctors are often hampered by insurance companies. Patients need options to fill the gap. The author sees that as a burden on the system. I see it as people advocating for themselves. Her research was solid. The issues she raised are real. But free speech and patient/medial autonomy are not the problems here. More education is a better answer than restricting either one.
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