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Get Involved!



HealthDay
August 22, 2012


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Transcript

 

Are you an active or passive participant in your health care?
Your answer to this question may be a big factor in how healthy and happy your relationship with your doctor can be.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality says the best patient is an active one. In fact, those who communicate better with their doctors tend to be happier with their care and have better health results.

How can you strive to get this kind of relationship?

Come to your next visit with a list of questions you want answered. And bring your current medications, including any vitamins or supplements, so you can show the doctor what you're taking.

Be honest while you're there. Don't hold back about any symptoms or your health history. And if you don't understand everything the doctor is saying about a condition, test or treatment, don't be embarrassed to ask again.

Finally, when you get home, follow through. Take medications as prescribed, schedule any tests or further appointments.

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services has tools that can help you plan your visit, and help you after your appointment. Log onto www.ahrq.gov.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with information that can help keep your family healthy.