The health care system is shifting to “patient centered care,” which puts the patient and those closest to them, at the head of the health care team. Depending on your situation, this can be a complicated maze, which seems to have no end. Fortunately, hospitals and medical centers are recognizing the need to provide patients with tools to help them. One such program is the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing’s “Taking Charge of Your Health" Within the site are excellent resources including: “Navigate the Healthcare System.”
Dr. Carolyn Clancy, a director for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, has an advice column, with brief and easy to understand responses to many issues, such as Open enrollment-what to consider when choosing a health plan.
There are a variety of other on-line resources, including
• Bravewell Collaborative Navigating the Healthcare System
• Revolution Health Navigating the Healthcare System
• Excerpts from our Bodies, Ourselves: Navigating the Health Care System
Shared Decision Making
In most fairy tales, there generally comes a point where the hero has to make a very important decision. Do I take a right or left at the fork in the road? Is it a toad or a prince disguised as one? Frequently, the hero or heroine has a trusty fairy godmother, or a special device to help them make that decision.
When it comes to managing our health, there are many decisions that must be made. Should I try a particular type of treatment? Is surgery my best option? Maybe it’s time to stop treatment? So where’s your fairy godmother when you need her?
Pioneered at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, hospitals are now starting to offer “Shared Decision” programs. Working with a staff member of the program, and/or using some simple tools, decision making becomes a lot easier. Check with your doctor, case manager, or social worker to see if one is offered where you receive care. There are also a number of excellent websites on-line to help as well.
• The Ottawa Decision Guide make decisions, plan next steps and monitor their progress. The tool can be used for making any type of decision.
• Decision Aids by Health Topic
• Decision Aid Library
• Informed Medical Decisions
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