TIPS TO BE AN INFORMED PATIENT
By Elayne Smith Lowe
• Be open and upfront with medical providers, including your past medical history and any alternative medicine you use, to protect against harmful side effects.
• Ask if you don’t understand a medical term.
• Make sure your medical records are available to your oncologist.
• If you conduct any research on your own, go over it either with your provider
or navigator to ensure its validity and relevance.
• Get a second opinion if you want to validate the treatment plan or ensure
your provider has the technology you need.
• Make sure you have full knowledge of what your insurance plan provides
either through the company or your patient navigator.
• Call the American Cancer Society’s 24/7 hotline at 800-227-2345 for
questions that come up outside of office hours.
Knowledge Is Power
en-us
2023-02-19T08:00:00.0000000Z
2023-02-19T08:00:00.0000000Z
https://enewmexican.com/article/281578064833650
Santa Fe New Mexican
