Everyone wants the best medical care possible, and this involves more than scheduling a doctor�s appointment. A proactive patient is an informed person who finds a good doctor and medical facility, asks the doctor detailed and relevant questions and does independent research using reliable sources about the disease. A patient can�t just sit back and be �patient!� Although patients have to respect the medical professional�s decision, they must put their needs at the top of their priority list. All individuals are eventually in charge of their own health by becoming a CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of themselves.
-Neide Godinho
Here are further ideas written by students in the class about being a proactive patient. "Read and learn" what you can do to be an advocate for your own health.
Patients are proactive when they request a second opinion which means to see another doctor to treat a disease.
-Raziel Prudente
As a proactive patient, I should ask about the doctor�s background and experience. I decided that I won�t be afraid anymore because it is my job to take responsibility for myself. I will ask even though my English is not perfect.
-Nereyda Jimenez
Going to the hospital for treatment gives you the chance to be a proactive person. For instance, if you have problems in understanding the language, you can ask for an interpreter in the hospital.-Miriam Zarzuela
we can find information about our illness at the libraries, on the Internet, in magazines and books, and by talking with people who have suffered from the same disease.
-Alfredo Munoz
Before we go to the hospital, we should investigate its services by asking questions. Doing this will help us clarify our understanding about the health care we will receive.
-Zida Moussa
I have the right and responsibility to ask everything that I think is important, such as information about the diseases, prescriptions and treatments.-Claudia Lopez
I knew that I had arthritis, but recently I realized that I became a proactive patient when I decided to take my illness seriously. I heard about natural medicine based on �poison bees,� and I decided to get more information about it by visiting a doctor who practices alternative medicine.
-Sonia Portugal
Knowing our responsibilities is as important as knowing our rights. Being a proactive patient is not only having the information, but it�s also engrossing ourselves in the information. In my view, we are not doing anything when we have the information, yet we don�t understand it or don�t know how to use it.
-Elba Duarte
Our health condition will depend on being responsible and persistent as �proactive patients.� We must think about the doctor�s diagnosis or treatment, and we have the right to agree or disagree.-Victoria LandetaThese are sample questions to ask your insurance company and your doctor when you are being proactive.
Do I need a primary care doctor?Is there an annual deductible?What is my co-payment?What's the cost of emergency services?How are prescriptions paid?What pharmacies can I use?How should medicines be taken (with food or without)?When should medicines be taken (before or after eating)?What is the dosage?What are the side effects?
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