The Healthcare Appointment Playbook is a practical, no-nonsense guide aimed at empowering patients, especially women, to navigate the complexities of today’s broken healthcare system. Drawing on over two decades of experience as a nurse-midwife and primary care provider, Barbara Alif Doran strips away the mystery and intimidation that too often accompany doctor visits. With warmth, clarity, and the occasional jab at the frustrating bureaucracy of modern medicine, Doran explains what patients should expect during visits, how to advocate for themselves, and why prevention is key to long-term health.

What I liked most about this book was its genuine voice. Doran calls out systemic problems like insurance hoops, rushed appointments, and provider burnout, with the kind of honest frustration that only someone inside the system can express. And yet, the tone isn’t bitter. It’s hopeful. She believes deeply in the power of patients to reclaim control, and that conviction pulses through every chapter. Her personal stories, particularly the one about a patient named Anne who eventually agreed to manage her high blood pressure on her own terms, made the advice feel real and reachable.

Parts of the book did make me feel sad and even angry. The way our healthcare system pushes quantity over quality isn’t new to me, but hearing it from a provider who’s lived it and burned out because of it really drove the point home. But Doran isn’t just venting. She’s teaching. Every tip, whether it’s about preparing questions for your visit or knowing your legal rights, feels like a lifeline thrown into murky water. I appreciated her straightforward language, too. No medical jargon. No corporate-speak. Just one person talking to another about how to stay healthy and get the care you deserve.

This book is for anyone who’s ever walked into a clinic feeling confused, ignored, or powerless and wanted to do something about it. It’s especially helpful for women navigating complex medical needs or caring for others, but honestly, the tools here are useful for everyone. If you’ve ever left an appointment wondering what just happened, or if you’re tired of feeling like your health is in someone else’s hands, then read this.

Pages: 206 | ASIN : B0F69B1PZK