Whether you begin suffering new symptoms on January 1, or are dealing with problem medical treatment on any other day of the year, there are five resolutions you'll want to make to become a savvy patient and improve your medical care.
1) Partner With Your Doctor
Notice that doesn't say "go see your doctor," nor does it say "let your doctor tell you what to do." That word "partner" can make all the difference in your care.
Approach your doctor respectfully, and command respect in return. When you doctor gives you a diagnosis, ask, "What else can it be?" When your doctor outlines treatment options, ask about all of the alternatives. If you need to have medical tests, ask what he expects or even hopes not to find. When your doctor uses a word you don't understand, ask for its meaning.
Remember that the final decisions about treatment and next steps are yours to make. While it may make sense for you to ask the doctor which one he might choose if his loved one was given the same diagnosis, that doesn't mean you get a pass on taking responsibility for making a final decision yourself.
2) Learn the Basics (or More) About Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Even if your doctor gives you a thorough explanation of what is wrong with you, that doesn't mean you'll have a thorough understanding of that particular diagnosis. Ask your doctor to write down the name of your diagnosis for you and ask if she knows of good resources you can access to learn more. Review those resources, and look up additional ones either at the library or on the Internet. (Start by accessing our disease and condition sites here at About.com.)
Do the same for the possible treatment options you'll choose from so you can be sure you're choosing the best one for you.
A thorough understanding will help you get beyond your medical problem, or at least manage it better. In many cases, that more thorough knowledge may keep you from having that same medical problem in the future, since you will have learned its causes and perhaps prevention ideas, too.
3) Comply With Your Treatment Plan
Doctors will tell you that the number one reason patients who should get well don't get well is because they don't follow their treatment plans. Are you supposed to take one tablet three times a day? First, ask for clarification (Morning, noon and night? Once every eight hours?) Then do it! Physical therapy every day Monday through Friday? Participate! No alcohol? Don't drink it!
If you are having problems with compliance, then discuss it with your doctor. If you have truly partnered with your doctor, then you will either be able to reassess your treatment plan or get a clearer understanding of why you need to follow your doctor's instructions to the letter.
An empowered patient understands that the best chance for a good medical outcome requires at least as much, and possibly more, investment in the process than her doctor provides.
These three resolutions should get you off to a good start. After all, it's your body.
