Many people are more satisfied with their health care if they share
the responsibility with their health professionals. Your health professional is
an expert on medical care, but you are the expert on yourself. Often there is
more than one option for diagnosing or treating a condition. By being a partner
with your health professional, you can help choose the option that best fits
your values, beliefs, and lifestyle. You also will feel more confident about
carrying out the chosen treatment.
Here are some tips for being a good partner with your health
professional:
Build a relationship with your health
professional. Let your health professional know that you want to be a partner
in your health care. Tell the health professional what your expectations
are.
Be an active participant in each appointment. Listen
carefully to what your health professional says. If you do not understand a
diagnosis or treatment, ask questions. Tell the health professional if you do
not think that you can carry out the prescribed treatment.
Prepare your child for tests and exams. Let your child know why he or she is
seeing a health professional and what will be done during the visit. Your
child's age and developmental level will determine how best to prepare him or
her.
What is the reason for your appointment?
During your appointment, you will need to answer some important
questions so that you and your health professional can plan your care together.
Completing the appropriate forms before the appointment helps you provide
correct and complete information, take an active role in your health care
decisions, and make the most of your limited appointment time.
Choose the form that best describes your reason for seeing the
health professional.
If you take prescription or nonprescription medicines, including
herbal remedies or vitamins, bring all your medicines with you to any
appointment with a health professional. If you cannot bring the medicines,
bring a
list of the medicines that you take(What is a PDF document?)
.
What other forms might be helpful?
If you and your health professional are going to discuss a new
medicine, medical test, surgery, or special treatment, choose a form from the
following list. Then fill in your information, and take the form with you to
your visit. Completing the form will help you understand the importance of the
treatment your health professional is advising for your health condition. If
you do not have the form at the time of your visit, complete the form at home
after the visit.
Also, bring a copy of your health plan's list of covered
prescription drugs-also known as a formulary.
What do you need to do after the appointment?
Update the medical records that you keep at home. For more
information, see the topic Home Medical Records.
Other Places To Get Help
Book
You: The Smart Patient: An Insider's Handbook for Getting the Best Treatment
Author/Editor:
M.F. Roizen M.C. Oz
Publisher:
Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Publication Date:
2006
This book aims to help you get better health care. It is written by
two doctors in conjunction with The Joint Commission. The book has information
about choosing the best doctor, hospital, and insurance company. It also
contains suggestions about prescription drugs, treatment options, alternative
medicine, and other health issues.
Online Resources
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Web Address:
www.ahrq.gov
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is a U.S.
Public Health Service agency in the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS). AHRQ serves the public, health professionals, and policymakers by
providing evidence-based information to help with decision making about and
quality of health care services.
KidsHealth for Parents, Children, and Teens
Nemours Foundation
Web Address:
www.kidshealth.org
This Web site provides a wide range of information about children's
health, from allergies and diseases to normal growth and development (birth to
adolescence). This Web site offers separate areas for kids, teens, and parents,
each providing age-appropriate information that the child or parent can
understand. You can sign up to get weekly emails about your area of interest.
Organization
American Academy of Family
Physicians
P.O. Box 11210
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
Web Address:
www.familydoctor.org
The American Academy of Family Physicians produces a variety of
health-related educational materials. Its Web site offers a health library and
bulletin board, news, and comments sections.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2000). 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors. Patient Fact Sheet (AHRQ Publication No. 00-P038). Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2004).
Five Steps to Safer Health Care. Patient Fact Sheet
(AHRQ Publication No. 04-M005). Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality. Also available online:
http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/5steps.htm.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2007).
Be Prepared for Medical Appointments. Patient Fact Sheet
(AHRQ Publication No. 07-0039-A). Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality. Also available online:
http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/beprepared.htm.
Mold JW (2006). Facilitating shared decision-making
with patients. American Family Physician, 74(7):
1209-1210, 1212.
Credits
Author
Debby Golonka, MPH
Editor
Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor
Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer
Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
