In the Hospitalized posts, the importance of being a patient advocate when a family member or friend is in the hospital, was identified as the number one way you can help. Since the nurses and doctors will most likely be meeting this person for the first time, you can assist them by letting them know what’s normal for the patient.
In addition, it’s important that the advocate, as well as the person who is living with the chronic condition, have an understanding of the diagnosis and the treatment they may be taking place in the hospital. This also extends to home, and in the weeks following the initial diagnosis.
Regardless of whether you are the person living with the condition, the advocate or the caregiver, ask the nurses and doctors for information and to explain things you don’t understand. There are no stupid questions.
The most frequent way people learn about their health condition is the Internet. Therefore it’s important that users realize that not all information is of equal value. In fact, people with chronic conditions are the primary target of scams and “snake oil” websites. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
When you Google, check the who, what and when of the website
WHO sponsors the site and who can I contact if I have a question? Sites that end with .gov, .edu and .org are generally more reliable. However, there are a growing number of. org’s that are actually sales pitches. Pharmaceutical companies are .com sites. Some of them have excellent resource information about side effects, tips on taking medications, and/or opportunities to obtain a drug for reduced or no cost.
WHAT is the purpose of the site and what is the source of information? If this is a site that is pushing a particular item to buy, be wary of it.
WHEN was the last time the site was updated? If a site isn’t being well maintained, and it’s offering information about a specific condition, be mindful that medical information that's more than a year old can already be outdated.
To learn more, check out Get the E-Facts
Sites with good information include:
• A national organization for the specific condition such as the American Cancer Society. For a list of organizations go to MedLine Plus
• Medline Plus Health Topics: In addition to information and treatment about a specific condition, it includes interactive tutorials, research, clinical trials, current research etc.
• Mayo Clinic Diseases and Conditions: This site includes the following information- definition, symptoms, causes, risk factors, tips for preparing for your appointment, treatments and drugs, lifestyle and home remedies, alternative medicine and prevention.
Resources for more information about drug and vitamin supplements
• Physician’s Desktop Reference for Consumers
• Medline Plus Drugs, Supplements and Herbal Information
Resources for Complementary and Alternative Forms of Medicine
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
• Explore Healing Practices from the University of Minnesota’s “Taking Charge of Your Health”
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