New book is the right medicine for patients
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - A township woman has co-written a book to help people make the right decisions when responding to a severe medical condition and have a better relationship with doctors.

C

orine Mogenis, of Monmouth Junction,

and her co-author, Patricia Raya, of Princeton, have written "Medical Tips from the Inside … Things You Need to Know!" The book will be released on March 31.

Both Mogenis and Raya have seen the problems that patients face because both are in the medical field:Mogenis is a medical malpractice paralegal and Raya is a nurse legal consultant.

"We've seen their frustrations in finding what they need," Raya said. "We've talked to patients and clients and we know what they're looking for. Knowledge equals power."

Mogenis knows some patients just don't know that they have rights.

"I just can't believe how some of this stuff happens," Mogenis said. "People don't know that they can ask their doctors questions. You can also get second opinions, especially in cancer cases. A good doctor usually encourages it."

Mogenis said doctors can make mistakes.

"It's always better to try and have two people's opinions," she said.

The authors said this is a big year for patient advocacy, which Raya said is "speaking up for the patient on behalf of the patient." This is because of the elections coming up and the prevalence of national health care possibly being introduced. There are now patient navigators or patient advocates at most hospitals who work part time.

Raya and Mogenis also talked about the writing process.

"We sat down and came up with a general idea of what was important to each one of us," Mogenis said. "We chose the key points and broke it down into chapters. I would write one part and then we'd switch. It was very easy."

It took about three and a half years to write the book. Then, the rejections came. And came. And came. For a year and a half.

"It was tough," Mogenis said. "We sent out 50 at a time. They'd say 'great concept, but …'"

"She'd get frustrated and I'd be fine," Raya said. "Then I'd get frustrated and she'd be fine."

Luckily for them, they never got frustrated at the same time.

"That's the good part of having a double team," Raya said.

They just want patients to have a comfort level with their doctors.

"You don't have to be afraid of your physician or medical team,"Mogenis said. "You need to take part in it. You can't just sit back."

Raya just wants to help one person.

"If we help one person better understand their health care, how to use the resources that are available, how to ask questions, how to work along with doctors and the rest of their health-care team to get good quality care, then I think I've achieved my goal," she said. "I get personal satisfaction being able to help someone by making a difference in their life."

The book is published by Merit International Publishing and will be released in Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Japan, Austria, Australia and the United States.

The authors will be at book signings in the near future, as well. They will be at the Borders in Princeton on April 12 and the Barnes & Noble in Hamilton on April 26.