Health Library

The Health Library is a collection of health and wellness resources created for learning and accessibility. Select a topic below for related health information or search for a topic in the search bar for more information on other medical conditions.

Your Role in Your Health

  • Learn to cope with your feelings after finding out you have cancer.

  • See how a diagnosis of heart disease inspired others to care for their heart.

  • Introduction Choosing a doctor or other health care provider is very important. The relationship you have with your health care provider greatly influences the health decisions you make and, ultimately, your health. Whether you are looking for a primary care doctor or a specialist, it's important to find a...

  • Learn how you can find the right professional to meet your needs.

  • Psychological counselors and therapists The terms counselor and therapist cover a variety of trained professionals. The differences between therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors may not be as important to you as finding someone with whom you are comfortable. Professionals who might provide...

  • Today your options for where to get your medical care are greater than ever before. You may not even have to leave your home to get the care you want and need. You can choose based on what your health problem is and what works best for you. And you don't have to use one option for all your health care needs. You can...

  • Get ideas on how to work with your doctor to make the most of your visits.

  • Learn how to be an active partner in your care so you can get the most from your next doctor visit.

  • Throughout your life you will have to make health decisions for yourself and your family. The decisions you make will influence your overall well-being as well as the quality and cost of your care. People who learn as much as they can about their choices often are more confident about the decisions they make. And in...

  • Many people are more satisfied with their health care if they share the responsibility with their doctors. Your doctor is an expert on medical care, but you are the expert on yourself. Often there is more than one option for diagnosing or treating a condition. By being a partner with your doctor, you can help choose the...

  • Good communication between patients, family caregivers, and the health care team is very important in cancer care. Good communication between patients with cancer, family caregivers, and the health care team helps improve patients' well-being and quality of life. Communicating about concerns and decision making is...

  • Looks at forming a partnership with your doctor to manage your care. Suggests taking an active role by asking questions about treatment choices and costs, learning on your own, and prepping for office visits. Offers questions to ask when choosing a doctor.

  • The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) staff are vital not only to your infant's health but also to your understanding of your infant's condition. When you are with your infant's doctor or nurse, ask whatever questions you have about your infant's health and care. The NICU staff understands that this is all new to you...

  • Many people see more than one doctor or health professional. Your primary care doctor, such as your internist or family doctor, may refer you to another doctor for a problem. You may see a specialist for another health concern. You may need a surgeon. Having many doctors can help you get the best care, but it also can...

  • Use this form for any tests your doctor recommends, such as blood tests, urine tests, or X-rays. General questions What is the name of the test? Why do I need this test? What might happen if the test is delayed or not done? How accurate is the test? Are there other tests that are more accurate? How...

  • Use this form if your doctor recommends a special treatment, such as radiation or physical therapy. General questions What is the name of the treatment? Why do I need this treatment? What might happen if I delay or avoid this treatment? Are there any other treatment options? If so, describe them...

  • Getting great care at a lower price is possible. Just like when you shop for food or clothes, there are things you can do to lower your health care costs. Protect your health with a healthy lifestyle. Here are some things you can do to take charge...

  • For a lot of people, diabetes leads to serious health problems. These life-changing conditions bring with them new medical decisions and plans. Medical decisions are very personal. Different people handle them in different ways. "In the past year, I've learned I have kidney disease from my diabetes...

  • Throughout your life you will have to make health decisions for yourself and your family. The decisions you make will influence your overall well-being as well as the quality and cost of your care. People who learn as much as they can about their choices often are more confident about the decisions they make. And in...

  • Each Decision Point is designed to guide you through a key health decision. Decision Points combine medical information with your personal values to help you make a wise health decision. See a list of: Decision Points about medical tests. Decision Points about medicines. Decision...

  • Good health care doesn't just happen. You have to do your part. Taking an active role in your health care is the best way to make sure you get great care and reduce costs at the same time. It is likely that you will be faced with one or more of the following health decisions at some time. Use the skills described in...

  • Decision Points are designed to guide you through key health decisions, combining medical information with your personal information to make a wise health decision. Click on a link below to learn more about treatment options or other decisions about your condition or issue: Advance Care Planning: Should I...

  • What are patient rights? As a person receiving health care, you have certain rights. Federal laws protect some of those rights, like the right to see your medical records and keep them private. Many states also have laws protecting your rights. Hospitals and other health care facilities often have a "bill of rights"...

  • Get tips for how to keep track of and prepare for your follow-up doctor appointments.

  • Learn how to be an active partner in your care so you can get the most from your next doctor visit.

  • Many people are more satisfied with their health care if they share the responsibility with their doctors. Your doctor is an expert on medical care, but you are the expert on yourself. Often there is more than one option for diagnosing or treating a condition. By being a partner with your doctor, you can help choose the...

  • Print this form and fill in Section 1 before your appointment. Complete section 2 at the end of your appointment if you have a health problem that needs treatment. Section 1 Health information What questions or concerns do I want addressed during this appointment? My symptoms Do I have any...

  • Answer the following questions before and during your appointment to follow up on a health problem. Concerns What health problem is the reason for this return appointment? What questions or concerns do I want addressed during this appointment? Do I have any new symptoms? Yes ___ No ___ If yes...

  • Complete this form if you are seeing this health professional for the first time. Although you may have to complete a similar form when you arrive at the office, completing this form will help you organize your thoughts and provide more complete information. Complete Section 2 at the end of your appointment if you have...

  • Medical errors are mistakes in health care that could have been prevented. They can occur in hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, doctors' offices, nursing homes, pharmacies, and your home. Errors can involve medicines, surgery, diagnosis, home treatment, equipment, or lab reports. They are often caused by a lack of...

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