| Whether you are the victim of doctor or hospital | | | | the name of the person you spoke to, the date, |
| malpractice or have received serious personal | | | | and the details of the conversation in your health |
| injuries, it is important to get the best medical | | | | care notebook in case you have aproblem later. |
| care in order to help you to recover as quickly as | | | | · To find other health care providers, ask |
| possible. The following suggestions should be | | | | friends and relatives if they know of doctors who |
| followed to help you to accelerate your medical | | | | have treated others with your injury or condition. |
| treatment and ultimate recovery. | | | | You can also call a local doctor-referral service or |
| Educate Yourself Completely | | | | contact your state medical society. (The number |
| An informed and knowledgeable patient will get | | | | canbe found in the "white pages" of the phone |
| better treatment. The more you know about | | | | book.) |
| your situation, the different tests and treatments | | | | · When you call to make the appointment |
| that are used for your condition, and the typical | | | | with the second doctor, tell the office staff that |
| symptoms and how they can be expected to | | | | you are seeking a second opinion. Depending on |
| change over time, the more you can be an active | | | | your condition, you will be asked to bring certain |
| part of your health care team. When a health | | | | medical records, which you will need to get from |
| care provider deals with an educated and | | | | your current doctor's office staff. Do not be shy |
| informed patient, the quality of their care and | | | | aboutrequesting these records. |
| attention is likely to improve. | | | | · Once you get a second opinion, |
| Take Someone with You to Your Appointments | | | | compare the two findings. Ask questions of the |
| There is strength in numbers. Sometimes, it is | | | | second doctor about the differences in opinions. |
| hard to keep track of all the advice you get, the | | | | Remember to bring your friend or a family |
| instructions you are given, and what you need to | | | | member with you to this very important meeting. |
| do to follow up. Bring a family member or a friend | | | | Again, write down everything that is said in your |
| along with you to your medical appointments to | | | | healthcare notebook. When you next visit with |
| assist you. This can make you feel more | | | | the first doctor, you should again ask questions |
| comfortable and more confident and help you to | | | | about the different opinions, making sure you |
| have a more informed conversation with your | | | | understand everything and then make an |
| doctor or other health care provider. Your family | | | | informed decision about what to do. |
| member or friend can also help you take notes, | | | | Take Charge of Your Health Care Team |
| follow through on your doctor's advice, and | | | | Keep in mind that your health care team is there |
| manage your care once you leave the office or | | | | to help you and that ultimately you make the |
| the hospital. | | | | decisions regarding your care and treatment. That |
| Second Opinions Make a Lot of Sense | | | | means you need to let everyone on the team |
| It is standard practice in the world of medicine to | | | | know what is working for you and what is |
| seek a second opinion. When you have a serious | | | | troubling you. Talk to each one of them openly |
| condition or injury and are told that you need a | | | | and cordially. |
| test or certain treatment-especially surgery-it is a | | | | If you are not comfortable with someone and |
| good idea to get a second opinion from another | | | | feel that you cannot talk to that person about |
| doctor. Find out if your insurance plan covers a | | | | your health care needs-or you are not getting the |
| second opinion. Your doctor should understand this | | | | care and attention you deserve-you are better |
| and should not be offended when you say you | | | | off making a change, no matter how difficult it |
| plan to seek another opinion. Here are some polite | | | | may seem to do so. |
| ways you can use to arrange for a second | | | | It's Your Health... You Need to Be in Charge |
| opinion. | | | | If you have an injury or a medical condition that |
| · If you are told you need surgery or a | | | | requires you to see doctors and other health care |
| complex test or treatment, tell your doctor or | | | | providers, you have a compelling need to manage |
| the office staff that you must first check with | | | | your own health care team. You must take |
| your health insurance carrier to see if it | | | | responsibility for following the instructions you and |
| iscompletely covered. | | | | your providers have worked out together. Step |
| · Call your health insurance carrier to | | | | up! Ask questions! Educate yourself! Tell your |
| determine if the procedure itself will be approved | | | | medical providers everything, and keep everyone |
| and if a second opinion is covered-or required. If | | | | on your team connected. You will improve your |
| so, ask the health plan representative for a list of | | | | care and accelerate your medical treatment and |
| other providers whose services the plan will cover | | | | ultimate recovery. |
| for your second opinion. Be sure to write down | | | | |