Patient Tools Getting Ready for Appointments Suggestions When Getting Ready for Appointments
Suggestions When Getting Ready for Appointments
This set of brief videos was created by experts to help people better understand how to talk with their doctor, and how to get more involved in their healthcare. It includes a wide set of brief YouTube videos that covers topics such as tips for talking with your doctor, how to be an advocate for your family member, medication safety, and questions to ask before surgery.
Tips for Talking to Your Doctor
As part of its "smart patient" guide, familydoctor.org gives some specific tips for talking to your doctor.
It's Time to Talk to Your Doctor
This poster from Quality Counts provides some helpful advice on how to get ready for your next appointment.
When You Need to Make Healthcare Decisions or Change Your Treatment
Foundation for Informed Decision Making
The Foundation for Informed Decision Making is an independent, non-profit organization leading changes to ensure that health care decisions are made with the active participation of fully informed patients. Their website includes several videos that introduce the concepts of shared decision making, and how patients work with their healthcare providers to make decisions that are best for them.
Maine Consumers Talking About Healthcare
The Maine Health Management Coalition, a coalition of Maine employers, features several informational videos on their website, including Rick, a Maine healthcare consumer, who experiences a serious asthma attack while travelling on business. In the video he tells how he talked to his doctor about changing his medication. The site also features Chesley, a Maine consumer who faced cancer treatment choices, and how she made decisions about her care.
When You Are Getting Tests Done
Questions to Ask about Medical Tests
AHRQ has a great tool to help you know what questions to ask when you need to have medical tests done.
Questions about Lab Tests
This website helps people understand lab tests, what they are for, and what the results mean.
When You Are Getting a New Medication
5 Things You Should Know When You Get a New Prescription
There are 5 questions you should ask every time you get a new medication. Download this easy-to-use card to take with you to your next appointment.
Facts about Generic Medications
Understanding what generic medications are and when you should take them is an important part of managing your health and healthcare costs. you can learn more about generic drugs from the national Food & Drug Administration (FDA).