Overview
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.
| Reason for appointment | Form to complete |
|---|---|
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A new problem or symptom |
New appointment
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Follow-up to a previous problem |
Follow-up appointment
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First appointment with this health professional |
First appointment
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Appointment for an ongoing health problem |
Regular checkup
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Appointment for a child who is healthy |
Regular checkup for a child
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Do you take medicines?
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.
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New medicine information
(What is a PDF document?)
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Medical test information
(What is a PDF document?)
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Surgery information
(What is a PDF document?)
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Special treatment information
(What is a PDF document?)
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 |
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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. |
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Online Resources
| Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality | |
| Web Address: | www.ahrq.gov |
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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. |
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| KidsHealth for Parents | |
| Nemours Foundation | |
| Web Address: | http://kidshealth.org/parent |
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This organization provides a wide range of information about children's health, from allergies to normal growth and development. 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 also sign up to receive weekly emails about your area of interest. |
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Organization
| American Academy of Family Physicians | |
| P.O. Box 11210 | |
| Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210 | |
| Web Address: | www.familydoctor.org |
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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. |
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References
Other Works Consulted
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 |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | July 25, 2007 |
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