Be a Partner with Your Physician

Stephen TePastte M.D.Medical Director

MESSA

It’s Your Life-Take Charge• Unequal partnership . . . • You are in charge!• Your doctors can give you options,

but you have the final say.• So, get educated and lead the

conversation!

• Be a partner in your own care and decision-making.

• Have all your tests results thoroughly explained.

• Have risks and benefits of tests and treatments thoroughly explained to you.

• Have your care based on evidence-based medicine.

Making Smart Medical Decisions…

Annual Health Maintenance Exam

• CVD testing - Know Your Numbers! (KYN)

• Cancer screening• Immunization review• RX review• Tobacco and alcohol use

review• Fitness review• Nutrition review• Mental health review

KYN: Blood Pressure

Systolic DiastolicNormal <120 <80

Pre-hypertension 120-139 80-89

High Blood Pressure >140 >90

KYN: Fasting Blood Sugar (Glucose)

<100 Normal

100-126 Pre-diabetes

>126 Diabetes

KYN: LDL (Lousy) Cholesterol

<70 Optimal 70-100 Excellent

100-129 Good130-159 Borderline High160-189 High

>190 Very High

KYN: HDL (Healthy) Cholesterol

<40 Very Low

41-50 Low

51-60 Good

>60 Optimal

KYN: Triglycerides

<100 Optimal

101-199 Borderline High

200-499 High

>500 Very High

Cancer Screenings

• Thorough skin exam• Women: thorough GYN

exam• Men: thorough testicular

and prostate exam• Mammography • PSA• Colonoscopy

Get Up-To-Date on Vaccines- 2012 ACIP Adult Immunization Schedule

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Understand Your Medicines

• Bring all your pills to your HME• Generic?• Why take it? What will it do?• How to take it? When?• What problems to watch for?• Will it affect your other medicines?

EXAMPLE: NEXIUM

When You See Your Doctor For a New Problem

• Bring a well-organized written history

• Ask Questions• Medicines• Self-care strategies• Lifestyle changes• Conservative care• What to expect

If you are seeing your doctor for a potentially serious problem . . .

• Bring a well-organized written history of the problem.• Start with your most important concern.• Ask: “What would you recommend if I were a family

member?”• Bring a family member or friend with you for

support.• Take notes!• Contact information-

Ask Your Doctors Key Questions and Make Smart Choices

• Are there alternatives to medications?

• Do I really need that surgery? • Should I go to a center of

excellence?• “What would you tell me if I

were your family member?”

Research Tells Us…

Effective patient-doctorcommunication allows for:

• More accurate diagnoses• More compliance• Better preventive care• Higher patient and

physician satisfaction

Partner with your Physician Summary

• Take control and responsibility for your own health and health care.

• Get comprehensive preventive care.• Make sure you understand all test results

and follow-up needed.• Understand all about your medications.• Insist on evidenced-based care.