You, the individual, can do more for your health and well-being than any hospital, any drug, and any exotic medical device. Joseph Califano

In today's medical culture, controlled more by the insurance industry than by your physician, the quality and cost of medical care depends more on you than on your doctor. As a result of Medicare, Medicaid, HMOs, PPOs, increasing malpractice claims and awards, etc., doctors, with "guidance" from your insurance company, have become the "gatekeepers" of medical care, shifting medicine to a business more than a caring art and science. There are three basic principles to aid you in becoming actively involved in your own care:

1. Work in partnership with your doctor. Your health care should be based on common goals, shared effort and good communication which leads to better care and good medicine.
   
   • Take good care of yourself:
     
     • Eat well
       
     • Exercise regularly
       
     • Minimize stress
       
   • When problems occur:
     
     • Observe symptoms
       
     • Record Symptoms
       
     • Keep notes
       
     • BE ACCURATE
       
   • Practice medical selfcare at home; research and learn about the problem
     
   • Choose a good doctor:
     Is s/he
     • experienced?
       
     • Board certified?
       
     • available?
       
     • open to discuss issues with you?
       
     Ask for recommendations, then check them out!
     
   • Prepare for office visits:
     
     • Write down your questions (limit to 3)
       
     • Write down symptoms and observations
       
     • What is your main concern? hunches?
       
     • What have you done and what is/was the outcome?
       
   • Play an active role in the visit. Don't hold back; be honest.

2. Share in every medical decision: In most situations, you will give informed consent for any treatment or procedure. Do your own research.

   Please, feel free to ask

   • Why?
     
   • What should I expect?
     
   • What should the outcome be?
     
   • Are there any side effects?
     
   Ask about alternatives.
   State your preferences; consider watchful waiting.
   Compare expectations with your doctor.
   Accept responsibility.
   Consider risk vs. benefit.

3. Become skilled at obtaining medical care:
   • Keep a concise health history and current medication list available whenever seeing anyone new, and for ememgency care, etc.
     
   • Request itemized bills and check them carefully.
     
   • Use selfcare when possible.
     
   • Use a primary care provider who can see the whole picture; specialists tend to focus only on their area of expertise. However, do use specialists for specific problems.
     
   • Reduce test and medication costs by understanding why and how it is to benefit you; ask questions!
     
   • Avoid health fraud and quackery. Be wary of "testimonials", secret ingredients, promises of no risk, etc. (While there is excellent information available via the internet, it is also a very ripe area for misinformation. Be careful of your sources.)