The Decision Tree: Taking Control of Your Health in the New Era of Personalized Medicine by Thomas Goetz (2010) is a compelling call to action on behalf of one’s health. Goetz describes how we are generally passive regarding decision-making for our own health. We are inclined to allow our health care providers to make choices for us rather than consider our alternatives–even the ones not offered by our doctors–and decide ourselves. As he describes, we are often more likely to investigate the purchase of a car or technicalogical gizmo more than a suggested medical treatment. And yet, the information age makes it much easier to manage our health, so why are we generally willing to hand over our lives, and our health, to others?
Focusing on “health” care rather than “illness” care, the stories and experiences related in the book encourage each of us to have a plan to manage our health and to take an active role in making choices that affect our lives. While the model of “decision trees” isn’t explained as a process, it is descriptive in showing where we make choices. And each choice gives us options to become more (or less) involved.
Goetz shows how medicine today gives us glimpses of the future by not only diagnosing illnesses but by measuring risk factors that might lead to diseases. In a particularly revealing and somewhat sobering chapter, he describes how the risk factors have come to be recognized–and treated–by the health care field (including insurers) as illnesses themselves even though they are only increase the probability of a diagnosis. Similarly, the field of genetics is coming ever closer to predicting one’s medical future.
The options for technology to support us in leading healthier lives are discussed. If apps are good for directions, social media, and games, why not use them to help us to eat better, exercise more and reduce stress?
It’s an interesting book. My biggest question after completing it is about the vulnerable populations; how can decision trees and technology help those who have few resources and no homes to lead healthier lives? Not every book needs to address this question, but it seems like the issues presented are relevant to all of us…not just those with computers and cell phones.
