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Agency for Healthcare Research Quality www.ahrq.gov
www.ahrq.gov

Be an Active Health Care Consumer


As part of its effort to help consumers become better informed and participate as partners in their own health care, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed materials that will help patients get safer, high-quality care.

Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AHRQ is leading the Government's efforts to improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans.


Navigating the Health Care System—Advice from AHRQ Director Dr. Carolyn Clancy

AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy, M.D., has prepared brief, easy-to-understand biweekly advice columns for consumers to help navigate the health care system. They will address important issues such as how to recognize high-quality health care, how to be an informed health care consumer, and how to choose a hospital, doctor, and health plan.

 Navigating the Health Care System—Advice from Dr. Clancy Clancy

Next Steps After Your Diagnosis: Finding Information and Support

If you were recently diagnosed with a serious illness or chronic condition, what should you do? This resource helps you use research and other information to make the best treatment decisions for you. It includes information on Web sites and other resources.

 Next Steps After Your Diagnosis: Finding Information and Support
     Watch Video
 Also available en español

Five Steps To Safer Health Care

Five ways to get safer health care, including tips on medicines, lab tests, and surgery.

Five Steps to Safer Health Care
Also available en español

Having Surgery? What You Need to Know

Questions to ask your doctor and surgeon to help you and your family understand more about your surgery.

Having Surgery? What You Need to Know
Also available en español

Guide to Health Care Quality: How to Know It When You See It

Tips and resources to help patients take an active part in making decisions about their health care and receiving quality health care.

Guide to Health Care Quality: How to Know It When You See It

Check Your Medicines

Tips for taking medicines safely.

 Check Your Medicines
     Watch Video
 Also available en español

Flyer—Be an Active Health Care Consumer

8½ x 11-inch flyer illustrating five brochures for consumers

  Flyer (PDF File, 288 KB [PDF Help]; Text Version)

Other Information

AHRQ information on other health care topics is available, including quality health care:

 20 Tips To Help Prevent Medical Errors
 Your Guide To Choosing Quality Health Care
 Quick Checks for Quality
 Quick Tips—Getting Medical Tests
 Quick Tips—Getting a Prescription
 Quick Tips—Planning for Surgery
 Quick Tips—Talking With Your Doctor

For more patient information, go to Consumers & Patients.

 

AHRQ Advancing Excellence in Health Care