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American Medical Association Guide to Talking to Your Doctor »

Book cover image of American Medical Association Guide to Talking to Your Doctor by The American Medical Association

Authors: The American Medical Association, American Medical Association, American Medical Association
ISBN-13: 9780471414100, ISBN-10: 0471414107
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated
Date Published: September 2001
Edition: (Non-applicable)

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Author Biography: The American Medical Association

Book Synopsis

The last time you visited your doctor, did you . . .

  • hesitate to ask a question–and leave without the answer you needed?
  • not understand your doctor’s explanation of your illness or its treatment?
  • wish you could be more in control of your healthcare?

You can take control. The more you know about your healthcare needs and the more actively you work with your doctor, the better healthcare you will receive. In this concise, easy-to-understand book, the American Medical Association–the world’s most prominent organization of physicians–demystifies the relationship between patient and doctor and guides you in building an ongoing dialogue with your healthcare provider.

Using nontechnical language and a reassuring tone, the American Medical Association Guide to Talking to Your Doctor explains:

  • What your doctor needs to know about you and what he or she looks for in an examination
  • How to understand a diagnosis and discuss treatment options and goals
  • When and how to ask for a second opinion
  • How to speak for a child or older person in your care
  • How to discuss sensitive subjects such as sexuality, drug dependence, depression, and family violence
  • Your rights and responsibilities as a healthcare consumer
  • Where to go for more help and information

Encouraging, authoritative, and thorough, the American Medical Association Guide to Talking to Your Doctor empowers you to communicate better with your doctor so that you can work together to achieve a common goal–your good health.

For more than 150 years, the American Medical Association has been the leading group of medical experts in the nation and one of the most respected health-related organizations in the world. The AMA continues to work to advance the art and science of medicine and to be an advocate for patients and the voice of physicians in the United States.

Table of Contents

Introduction1
1.Choosing a Doctor5
What are you looking for?5
Other issues to consider6
How to go about choosing a doctor8
Your rights and responsibilities as a healthcare consumer9
2.What Your Doctor Wants to Know about You13
Personal health history14
Your child's health history23
Family health history27
Medications29
Self-treatment31
Lifestyle33
3.Talking about Your Health and Medical Care37
Planning in advance what to say to the doctor37
Making the most of an office visit40
Learning about medical tests and treatments42
Surgery45
Understanding a diagnosis49
Using medications correctly50
Making lifestyle changes55
Clearing up misunderstandings64
4.Talking for others67
Accompanying your child to the doctor67
Accompanying your older parent to the doctor75
5.Talking about Sensitive Subjects81
Sexually transmitted diseases83
Homosexuality and bisexuality86
Sexual problems87
Alcohol dependence89
Drug addiction91
Family violence91
Depression92
Incontinence95
Self-treatments98
Dissatisfaction with treatment100
End-of-life healthcare issues103
6.Special Situations111
Specialists and subspecialists112
Getting a second opinion115
At the hospital117
In an emergency124
Rare diseases128
Participating in clinical trials131
Doing your own research137
Resources141
Advocacy141
Clinical trials148
Diseases and conditions150
General health information171
Government agencies175
Health information Web sites181
Home-care services and hospice186
Long-term care and housing189
Mental health191
Rehabilitation195
Self-help and support197
Miscellaneous201
Glossary205
Index235

Subjects