New resources are available to help patients get more involved in these aspects of their health care:
Tracking family health conditions
The U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have developed and launched a new initiative designed to encourage patients to learn more about their family health history.
The initiative features a Web- based tool to help consumers organize their family's medical information and present the information clearly to physicians.
The health history tool is now available; it can be accessed by going to
Finding quality health care
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released the booklet “Guide to Health Care Quality: How to Know It When You See It.” This resource is designed to help consumers identify high-quality health care. To download a copy, visit
www.ahrq.gov/consumer/guidetoq
Dealing with a diagnosis
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released a brochure that is designed to help patients cope following the diagnosis of an illness. The publication, “Next Steps After Your Diagnosis: Finding Information and Support” includes a list of 10 important questions that patients should ask their physicians.
The brochure can be obtained by visiting
www.ahrq.gov/consumer/diaginfo.htm
Planning follow-up care
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is offering a free brochure aimed at helping patients plan and understand their follow-up care after discharge from the hospital. The publication “Planning Your Recovery” provides tips that should help patients become actively involved in their recovery after returning home.
To download the brochure, visit