Next Steps After Your Diagnosis
Finding Information and Support
Next Steps After Your Diagnosis offers general advice for people with almost any
disease or condition. And it has tips to help you learn more about your
specific problem and how it can be treated.
The information here is presented in a simple way to help you scan
the material and read only what you need right now. Organizations,
publications, and other resources are included if you would like to know
more. This online version has many additional resources with their Internet links. This document is also available en español.
To download the print version, go to the
PDF File (250 KB). PDF Help.
To obtain print copies of Next Steps After Your Diagnosis (AHRQ Publication Number 05-0049), call the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at 1-800-358-9295 or send an E-mail to AHRQPubs@ahrq.hhs.gov.
Introduction
Your doctor* gave you a diagnosis that could change your life. This document can help you take the next steps.
Every person is different, of course, and every person's disease or condition
will affect them differently. But research shows that after getting a diagnosis,
many people have some of the same reactions and needs.
Five Basic Steps
This document describes five basic steps to help you cope with your diagnosis,
make decisions, and get on with your life.
Step 1: Take the time you need.
Do not rush important decisions about your health. In most cases, you
will have time to carefully examine your options and decide what is best
for you.
Step 2: Get the support you need.
Look for support from family and friends, people who are going through
the same thing you are, and those who have "been there." They can help
you cope with your situation and make informed decisions.
Step 3: Talk with your doctor.
Good communication with your doctor can help you feel more satisfied
with the care you receive. Research shows it can even have a positive
effect on things such as symptoms and pain. Getting a "second opinion"
may help you feel more confident about your care.
Step 4: Seek out information.
When learning about your health problem and its treatment, look for
information that is based on a careful review of the latest scientific findings
published in medical journals.
Step 5: Decide on a treatment plan. Work with your doctor to decide on a treatment plan that best meets your
needs.
As you take each step, remember this: Research shows that patients who are
more involved in their health care tend to get better results and be more
satisfied.
Although most of the published research referred to in this publication
focuses on cancer, it likely is relevant to people with other diseases and
conditions as well.
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A DVD on this topic, combined with Check Your Medicines: Tips for Taking
Medicines Safely, is available on DVD. The combined DVD, AHRQ Publication
Number 07-M025-DVD, includes these two programs:
Next Steps After Your Diagnosis: Finding Information and Support : DVD
features information from AHRQ to help patients who have been diagnosed with
an illness to learn more about their condition and treatment options. It
aims to help patients not only find information and resources but deal with
the various physical and emotional aspects of a diagnosis. The short
program provides individuals with important questions they should ask their
doctor when they receive a diagnosis, and information to help them understand
their disease or condition, how it might be treated, and what they need to
know before making treatment decisions. Experts featured include, Carolyn
Clancy, M.D., Gregg Meyer, M.D. and Christine Kovner, M.D.
Check Your Medicines: Tips for Taking Medicines Safely: This
short DVD provides patients with five simple steps for taking their medications
safely and correctly, thus avoiding medication errors. Experts featured
include, Carolyn Clancy,M.D., Robert Muscalus, M.D., Gregg Meyer, and David
Bates, M.D.
Contact the AHRQ Clearinghouse for your free copy of the combined DVD by sending
an e-mail to ahrqpubs@ahrq.hhs.gov requesting
AHRQ Publication Number 07-M025-DVD.
*Your medical care might come from a doctor, nurse, physician assistant,
or another kind of clinician or health care practitioner. To keep it simple,
in this document we use the term "doctor" to refer to any of these
professionals with whom you might interact.
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