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By Melissa Tennen, HealthAtoZ writer
By doing your homework, you can be your own best advocate in the doctor's office and in life. Your health is not just your doctor's business - it's yours too.
Studies show that people who know about their treatment and care are more likely to take better care of themselves.
"Knowledge is power and helps patients make informed decisions," says Roberta Pagon, M.D., professor of pediatrics and an adjunct professor of Medicine and Ophthalmology at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Given the large number of patients a doctor has, most doctors can't spend a lot of time with you. The typical visit lasts 15 minutes at most, and usually less.
First, your symptoms
A lot of the diagnosis depends on what you report to your doctor. If you don't do your homework, there may be symptoms you hadn't considered.
"Patients have a lot of time to think about their condition. There are thousands of conditions. Rarely is a doctor an expert in more than a few diseases. The more informed, the quicker we can find a diagnosis."
"If patients have some background about their condition, they can ask the doctor informed questions," Pagon says.
Taking charge
Since you are reading this article, you have already started empowering yourself. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Do as much research as possible before your first visit. That way you can have at least a general understanding of what's going on, and ask better questions. For instance, if you have knee pain, read about how knees are constructed.
- Learn about your symptoms and possible treatments so you can be actively involved in treatment options.
- Use only accredited medical sites, such as this one. Accredited means the material on the site has been reviewed for accuracy by an independent panel of experts, such as URAC or HON. That means the information is credible and accurate. Also, government sites like the CDC, FDA, or National Institutes of Health are always sure bets.
- Make the most of your time. By being prepared, you won't waste precious time.
- Create a list of questions or concerns for your doctor during your next visit.
- Join reputable patient support groups over the Web. Frequently, these kinds of groups are a wellspring about treatments, how effective they are, side effects, etc.
- Learn about clinical trials. Go to www.clinicaltrials.gov. Discuss with your doctor if clinical trials would apply to your condition.
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Clinical trials
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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