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dealing with a diagnosis

Every person is different of course and every person’s disease or condition will affect them differently. Research shows that after getting a diagnosis many people have similar reactions and needs.

This list describes five basic steps to help you cope with your diagnosis, make decisions, and get on with your life.

  1. Step 1: Take the time you need. Do not rush important decisions about your health. In most cases, you will have time to carefully examine your options and decide what is best for you.
  2. Step 2: Get the support you need. Look for support from family and friends, people who are going through the same thing you are, and those who have “been there.” They can help you cope with your situation and make informed decisions.
  3. Step 3: Talk with your doctor. Good communication with your doctor can help you feel more satisfied with the care you receive. Research shows it can even have a positive effect on things such as symptoms and pain. Getting a “second opinion” may help you feel more confident about your care.
  4. Step 4: Seek out information. When learning about your health problem and its treatment, look for information that is based on a careful review of the latest scientific findings published in medical journals.
  5. Step 5: Decide on a treatment plan. Work with your doctor to decide on a treatment plan that best meets your needs.

As you take each step remember this: Research shows that patients who are more involved in their health care tend to get better results and be more satisfied.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality



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Posted on on September 9th, 2008 in Protect your Family, Protect your Health, Safe Health Care | No Comments »

More Questions for Safe Surgery


Recently we’ve looked at some of the questions you should ask a surgeon if they recommend surgery or an operation. We have seen that asking questions of your doctors and medical professionals can really improve the quality and safety of your healthcare.

Here we look a some questions your should ask if your doctor refers you to a specialist that you may not know. Its ok to ask what their qualifications are. You will want to know that your surgeon is experienced and qualified to perform the operation. Many surgeons have taken special training and passed exams given by a national board of surgeons. Ask if your surgeon is “board certified” in surgery. Some surgeons also have the letters F.A.C.S. after their name. This means they are Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and have passed another review by surgeons of their surgical skills.

Also ask how much experience the surgeon has doing your operation? It’s a way to reduce the risks of surgery by choosing a surgeon who has been well trained to do the surgery and has plenty of experience doing it.

You can ask your surgeon about his or her recent record of successes and complications with this surgery. If it is easier for you, you can discuss the surgeon’s qualifications with your primary care doctor.

It’s important to know at which hospital will the operation be done. Most surgeons work at one or two local hospitals. Find out where your surgery will be done and how often the same operation is done there.


Research shows that patients often do better when they have surgery in hospitals with more experience in the operation. Ask your doctor about the success rate at the hospitals you can choose between. The success rate is the number of patients who improve divided by all patients having that operation at a hospital. If your surgeon suggests using a hospital with a lower success rate for your surgery, find out why.


Source: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/surgery/surgery.htm





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Posted on on July 14th, 2008 in Protect your Health, Quality Health Care, Safe Health Care | No Comments »

Recovering from Surgery

Before you have surgery it’s important to understand how long It will take you to recover? Your surgeon can tell you how you might feel and what you will be able to do, or not do, in the first few days, weeks, or months after surgery.

Ask how long you will be in the hospital.

Find out what kind of supplies, equipment, and help you will need when you go home. Knowing what to expect can help you get better faster.

Ask how long it will be before you can go back to work or start regular exercise again.

You do not want to do anything that will slow your recovery. For example light lifting may not seem to be “too much” a week after your operation, but it could be. You should follow your surgeon’s advice to make sure you recover fully as soon as possible.

Ask the Surgeon How Long You Will Be in the Hospital. Until recently most patients who had surgery stayed in the hospital overnight for 1 or more days. Today many patients have surgery done as an outpatient in a doctor’s office, a special surgical center, or a day surgery unit of a hospital. These patients have an operation and go home the same day. Outpatient surgery is less expensive because you do not have to pay for staying in a hospital room.

Ask whether your operation will be done in the hospital or in an outpatient setting.

Ask which of these is the usual way the surgery is done. If your doctor recommends that you stay overnight in the hospital (have inpatient surgery) for an operation that is usually done as outpatient surgery—or recommends outpatient surgery that is usually done as inpatient surgery ask why. You want to be in the right place for your operation.


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Posted on on July 6th, 2008 in Protect your Health, Quality Health Care, Safe Health Care | No Comments »

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