A Capable Disabled Group Community Group
We would be delighted to have you join our group. A Capable Disabled Group is a mutual support group for persons who are disabled, handicapped, differently abled, or have other conditions, along with our friends and caregivers. We discuss what matters to us, learn from each other, and strive to improve our lives.
Choosing Your Doctor
A study at the Health Institute of the New England Medical Center in Boston (in the state of Massachusetts, U.S.A.) found that the more patients are assertive and involved during visits to the doctor, the better they do medically. It pays to be a savvy medical consumer - to choose your doctor wisely and to be involved in your own treatment. Your doctor, if a good one, knows the importance of the health information you provide and welcomes your commitment to follow through and co-operate in your own treatment. You should be a partner with your doctor in your health care, not a passive recipient.
A study at the Health Institute of the New England Medical Center in Boston (in the state of Massachusetts, U.S.A.) found that the more patients are assertive and involved during visits to the doctor, the better they do medically. It pays to be a savvy medical consumer - to choose your doctor wisely and to be involved in your own treatment. Your doctor, if a good one, knows the importance of the health information you provide and welcomes your commitment to follow through and co-operate in your own treatment. You should be a partner with your doctor in your health care, not a passive recipient.
In many states, agencies collect performance data on hospitals. You may have to twist some arms to get a look at this data, but in some states, pamphlets are available to the public. Generally speaking, municipal, county, and state hospitals injure more patients than other hospitals, probably partly because of under-funding and under-staffing. Best bets: private, nonprofit hospitals; hospitals with high percentages of board-certified doctors; and hospitals with medical residency programs. Large hospitals generally rate better than small ones.
Introduction
Effective health care requires collaboration between patients and physicians and other health care professionals. Open and honest communication, respect for personal and professional values, and sensitivity to differences are integral to optimal patient care. As the setting for the provision of health services, hospitals must provide a foundation for understanding and respecting the rights and responsibilties of patients, their families, physicians, and other caregivers. Hospitals must ensure a health care ethic that respects the role of patients in decision making about treatment choices and other aspects of care. Hospitals must be sensitive to the needs of persons with disabilities and other differences.