Understand your diagnoses and treatments. Be an active member of your healthcare team.

If you have new problems, be sure to let your provider know:

• The symptoms you are having and when they started

• What treatments you have tried and how have they worked

• What improves symptoms (resting, eating, medications, etc.)

• Whether the symptoms affect activities (walking, eating, sleeping, etc.)

To understand your conditions, ask:

• What your diagnosis is and what the diagnosis means

• Whether it will resolve or is chronic

• What your current treatments are and what they do

For new medicine or treatment, ask:

• What the medicine or treatment is for

• Whether it replaces something else

• How it should be taken (time of day, with or without food, etc.)

• How long should it be taken and whether you should request a refill before running out

• About any possible side effects or allergies

• Whether you should avoid anything while taking it (other medicine, supplements, food, etc.)

Remember to:

• Always tell your medical team about any other treatments

  you are receiving

• Ask any questions you have about

  your health and treatments

• Receive written instructions for new treatments

• Know when to follow-up

(INPE.com, 2021)