Consumer Information and Education

Crossing the Language Chasm. C. Brach, I. Fraser, K. Paez, Health Affairs 24(2):2005, 424-434. Reviews the evidence on the link between linguistic competence and health care quality and the impact of particular language-assistance strategies. (AHRQ 05-R038)

Guide to Health Care Quality. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, September 2005, 16 pp. Provides tips to help consumers be active in making decisions about health care to help make sure they receive the best possible care. Also discusses quality measures and other tools for assessing health care quality, including report cards, consumer ratings, and accreditation reports. (AHRQ 05-0088)

Having Surgery? What You Need to Know. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, October 2005, 12 pp. For patients who are facing surgery that is not an emergency, helps patients and their families understand more about surgery, and whether it has to be done right away, or can be done later. Encourages patients to ask questions. (AHRQ 05(06)-0074-A) Spanish language booklet (AHRQ 05(06)-0074-B)

Next Steps After Your Diagnosis: Finding Information and Support. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, July 2005, 22 pp. Helps patients who have been diagnosed with an illness find information and resources, and deal with the physical and emotional aspects of their diagnosis. (AHRQ 05-0049) Spanish language booklet (AHRQ 06-0003)

Next Steps After Your Diagnosis: Ten Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor After a Diagnosis. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, August 2005. Pocket-sized card accompanies booklet. (AHRQ 05-0049-1) Spanish language card (AHRQ 06-0003-1)

Questions and Answers About Health Insurance: A Consumer Guide. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, August 2007, 30 pp. Uses a question and answer format to describe the different kinds of health insurance plans currently available. Includes a glossary of health insurance terms and a list of resources for more information. (AHRQ 07-0043) Spanish language booklet (07(08)-0043-1)

Surgery Choices for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer. National Cancer Institute and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, August 2004, 24 pp. Provides information to help women with early-stage breast cancer choose which type of breast surgery to have. (PHS 04-M053) Spanish language booklet (AHRQ 05-0031) Bilingual bookmark, October 2005 (AHRQ 05(06)-M058)

What You Need to Know About Episiotomy. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, December 2005, two-sided card. Discusses the need to talk to your doctor before delivery about whether to have an episiotomy during child birth. (AHRQ 06-0005)

Your Medicine: Play It Safe. The National Council on Patient Information and Education and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, February 2003, 12 pp. Instructs patients about how to partner with health care professionals to ensure they take the right medicines correctly. Explains four ways to "play it safe;" and provides a tear-off, wallet-size form for recording medicines and supplements, and emergency contact and other medical information. (AHRQ 03-0019; up to 10 copies free) Spanish language booklet (AHRQ 03-0028) Includes insert on Women and Medicines: What You Need to Know, April 2005, English/Spanish (AHRQ 03(05)-0019-A)

See Clinical Practice Guidelines and Clinical Preventive Services for other materials for consumers.

AHRQ Publications Order Form

Questions Are the Answer

Be Prepared for Medical Appointments: Build Your Question List. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, May 2007, three-fold brochure. Presents a list of potential questions to be asked during a medical appointment. Users can pick and choose from the list, which is divided into nine topic areas: medications, tests, diagnoses, treatment for an illness or condition, surgery, and considerations when choosing health insurance, a clinician, a hospital, or long-term care. (AHRQ 07-0039-A) Spanish language booklet (AHRQ 07-0039-B)

Do You Know the Right Questions to Ask? Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, February 2007, two-sided card. Presents a list of 10 simple questions to help consumers take a more active role in their own health care. English/Spanish (AHRQ 07-M014)

Questions Are the Answer. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, May 2007, poster. Presents the same 10 questions as the two-sided card, but in poster format with illustrations and a phone number to call for more information. (AHRQ 07-M031-A) Spanish language poster (AHRQ 07-M031-B)

AHRQ Publications Order Form

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