be a partner with your physician stephen tepastte m.d. medical director messa
TRANSCRIPT
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 Good
130-159 Borderline High
160-189 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.