“I’d bring either a tape of relaxing music or one with prerecorded soothing messages from a loved one and ask to have it played during the surgery. It can be very helpful and calming for certain patients.”
— Angela Bader, M.D., Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston

“As I’m recovering, I’d order a pizza for the staff to say thanks and to differentiate myself from the other patients and let them know I appreciate what they’re doing.”
— Bill Duffy, president of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses

“I’d find a doctor who encourages questions and doesn’t get defensive when asked about his success rate with certain procedures. Although you want a competent surgeon, you also want somebody who respects you as a human being.”
— Thomas Sharon, R.N., M.P.H., author of Protect Yourself in the Hospital

“I’d have an advocate tell my nurse important things about my personality. For instance, ‘My mom is a complete control freak, so anything you can do to give her choices would be great.’ Or ‘She’s really modest. Anything you can do to protect her privacy would be good.’ Then let the nurses orient their care suitably.”
— Danielle Molden, R.N., clinical manager of internal medicine, Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver