Treatment Decision Making 101

It may be difficult to decide whether to get the flu shot, whether it's seasonal flu or the H1N1 flu vaccine. Here are some questions to ask yourself when making the decision - Should I Get a Flu Shot?

Readers share their stories about using intuition to make medical decisions.

When it comes time to make difficult medical decisions, learning to identify and trust your intuition may go a long way toward making the right one. But how do you separate intuition from wishful thinking?

You feel lousy and want to stay home. But your big presentation is today, or you need the hours. Should you go to work anyway, or is it time to call in sick?

Health fraud is bilking millions of dollars from unsuspecting patients every year in the United States. Quacks, false advertising and counterfeit drugs are not only expensive, but they may be dangerous, too.

Most of us believe snake oil is fake medicine, but in fact, snakeoil really does exist as a therapeutic remedy for some medical problems. The history of snakeoil is interesting.

Informed consent is a concept that requires patients to understand the risks and benefits of any test, procedure or treatment a doctor recommends and a patient agrees to. Empowered patients need to understand just what they are agreeing to.

Empowered patients know that it is their responsibility to make their own treatment decisions, referring to their doctors, but understanding outside influences.

When we are faced with making difficult treatment decisions for a new diagnosis, it's difficult to be objective, removing the emotion from the decision. Following these steps will help you make that objective decision.

Whether it's getting a flu shot, attending physical therapy, or going through chemotherapy or radiation treatment, many patients are afraid of treatment, or the cost of treatment. But do patients have the right to refuse medical treatment?

Most Americans believe they have a right to refuse medical treatment. While that may be true under many circumstances, not all Americans can say no to treatment. Learn the difference, and who may not refuse to receive medical treatment.

While some medical decisions seem easy to make, others require some in-depth research and self-discovery. Here are the steps to take to decide whether refusing treatment is the right answer for you.

Empowered patients understand that their participation on their own healthcare team, in collaboration with others, is a vital aspect of finding their best medical outcomes.

Once you and your doctor have decided which treatment will work best for you, it's up to you to follow through, complying with those decisions.

Physicians cite non-compliance as one of the major reasons a patient doesn't get well or find an improvement in his health. Learn the reasons for non-compliance.