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How to Take Charge of Your Health CareBy Joanna SchneiderNavigating the world of health care can be an overwhelming task.How do I find the right doctor for me? To help you map this uncertain road, Jefferson City Magazine turned to local health care professionals to help answer these questions and more. So what are you waiting for? Read on. Actively Participate in Your Patient/M.D. RelationshipEducating yourself about your medical conditions is the first step to taking charge of your health care, says Dr. Stanley Dorst, a family physician at Jefferson City Medical Group. It’s important to know what medicines you are on and what they are for, he adds. In addition to being aware of your current medications, physicians and pharmacists say it’s important to know what medicines you have been on in the past and why you are no longer on them. Some items to make note of: Were they ineffective? What were the specific side effects? Was I allergic? Dorst says it’s key to take responsibility for your own health and well-being. Know what needs to be done to monitor your condition; don’t just leave that to the doctor. Find out what tests and follow-up appointments might be needed, and keep track of when these are due. And perhaps most importantly, be sure to ask questions about these things or about anything else you don’t understand about your medical conditions. “Just remember there is no such thing as a stupid question, especially when it comes to your health,” Dorst says. The bottom line is that you must take an active role in your health care, says Dr. Janet Theby, a board-certified family practice physician at St. Mary’s Medical Clinic. That way, you ensure the best possible care from your doctor. “The more you engage in your health care by sharing information, asking questions, taking information with you and understanding follow-up plans, the better your care will be,” she says. Theby suggests keeping the following in mind when meeting with your physician:
“By doing these things, you will help streamline your care rather than it becoming fragmented and confusing,” Theby says. “Your personal physician will be better equipped to provide smooth, comprehensive care whether it is management of an acute/chronic illness or providing effective and efficient preventive care.” Find the Right DoctorWhere is a good place to start? Ask friends and family if they have been happy with a physician they have worked with or know of someone who has been pleased with a physician in the area. Or, if you’re more tech-savvy, try surfing the Web and checking out the Web sites of local hospitals or nearby academic institutions. “They will frequently have lists of their physicians in different specialties, including information about specific interest or advanced training,” Dorst says. Get a Second OpinionBefore you do anything, do a little research about your condition because it might turn out that the physician gave you perfectly appropriate information. If you still have questions after reading about the condition from a reliable source (for example, WebMD or an accredited national organization), make a list of specific questions to ask the physician at a follow-up visit. These questions can be about things the physician said that you don’t understand or about things you have read or heard about the condition that he or she either didn’t address or contradicted. If you still don’t feel comfortable with the diagnosis from your current doctor and would like a second opinion, Dorst suggests requesting a reference from your primary care physician. Second opinions do serve an important role in patient care, Theby says. Many times they are mandatory for certain conditions or procedures. Consider seeking a second opinion when:
“The consultant should be independent of your personal doctor,” Theby says. “Most physicians would welcome a second option because it helps clarify difficult decision-making. Many times the specialist verifies the initial physician’s conclusions, giving everyone peace of mind. Even conflicting opinions are useful, as they can shed light on the complexity of the problem.” Alternative Health OptionsAlternative health options are becoming more and more popular. Most obvious, and so commonly recommended that they are no longer considered alternative, are diet and exercise. Also, quitting smoking and decreasing or stopping alcohol consumption can make a significant difference in many medical conditions. Additionally, Dorst says many patients with musculoskeletal conditions benefit from manipulation from a competent chiropractor, osteopathic physicians and massage therapists. For chronic pain, acupuncture can also be effective. Many chronic conditions can cause anxiety or depression, and for this reason, Dorst suggests support groups or professional therapists. Herbal treatments are a little trickier, Dorst explains. “Many people think that because herbal treatments are natural, that means they are safe,” he says. “In fact, many things found in nature can be quite toxic. In addition, manufactured medications are not the only treatments that can have side effects — natural treatments have side effects also.” Also problematic is the fact that there is usually not much research available on the effectiveness of herbal treatments, so there is more uncertainty about their effectiveness and safety. With this in mind, some herbal treatments have been demonstrated to be effective, and others are probably effective. Before trying an herbal treatment, read about possible side effects and toxicities just as you would do for any medical treatment. Know Your PrescriptionsMedications can be a large part of your overall heath care plan, so it’s important to understand what medicines you are taking, why are you taking them and how your body reacts, says Whaley’s Pharmacist Miranda Henley. To help patients keep track of their prescriptions and know the medications they are taking are what they need and working together properly, Henley suggests getting all your prescriptions from one pharmacy. This way, the pharmacists can make sure there are no interactions and no duplicate therapies. You might see many different physicians for different conditions, and they might not know what the others are prescribing, but by going to the same pharmacy, you can assure that your medications are working together properly to improve your conditions, Henley explains. Also important is keeping an up-to-date list of medications that you can take to a doctor’s visit and have on hand in case of emergencies. In what situation can a trip to the pharmacy take the place of a trip to the doctor? “When patient’s questions or concerns are related to prescription or over-the-counter medications, a pharmacist is a great place to go,” Henley says. “Pharmacists are the medication experts on the health care team, so they should be your first stop when it comes to medication questions.” Check with your pharmacist when you want to know what sort of specialist to see, says Uldis Pironis, a pharmacist at Jefferson City Apothecary with 40 years of experience. “A pharmacist is a good second line of defense, and we can be a good place to start when you have questions,” Pironis says. n Getting a Diagnosis: Top 10 Questions to AskDr. Janet Theby shares this pocket-sized list of top 10 questions to ask when getting a diagnosis from your doctor.
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