Providing patient education is one way that healthcare providers can help their patients learn more about their health status, as well as make informed decisions about altering certain behaviors that can improve their health. Typically, physicians and other medical professionals facilitate patient education, but there are number of other ways that you can improve your knowledge about certain health conditions, diagnoses, treatments, and related information.

Consult Your Physician

Clearly, the best source for information regarding a specific condition you’re living with is your own primary care physician. He or she has likely known you long enough and is sufficiently trained to provide you with specific information about your condition, different treatments you can or should consider, and possible complications that may arise as a result of the condition. Or, perhaps you you’d like to learn more about a condition a family member has or a health status you’d like to achieve. For example, if you’re a woman who is considering pregnancy, talking to your physician first can give you the information you need to plan for a healthy pregnancy.

Read Related Literature

Your physician’s office may also be a great source for literature related to your specific condition. For example, if you’ve recently been diagnosed with glaucoma, ask your ophthalmologist for brochures or other literature you can take home to review. You can also visit your local library and check out books, DVDs, or other informational sources related to your health condition.

Go Online

The Internet is a rich source for health information. From websites like WebMD to public discussion forums, you’ll be able to find plenty of information related to your health condition, how to prevent certain problems, nonsurgical and surgical treatments options, and much more. Be sure to confirm that whatever online site you reference is a reputable source, such as a hospital, research institution, or surgical center. Additionally, if you obtain treatment methods through any of these outlets, always check with your physician before you attempt any of them.

Another online research and education method you may find helpful is crowd-sourcing information on social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and others. You can be sure that someone out there is going through what you’re going through, or has some knowledge about your condition, and may be able to recommend physicians, other resources, and talk about treatments that were effective and those that weren’t.

Ask Family and Friends

If you’re comfortable talking about the specific condition you’re researching, ask family and friends who may have dealt with or have the same health issue. Oftentimes, hearing the stories and obtaining physician recommendations from people you trust can go a long way in helping you improve your knowledge of a certain health topic.

Join Support Groups

Finding support groups at local hospitals or health clinics can be another great source for health information. For example, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a form of cancer, it’s highly likely that many other people have been in your position at some point or another. Gathering with individuals who have similar health conditions can not only help you learn more about the condition, but can be a great way to hear about how others have dealt with what you’re going through. Support groups can provide the emotional, psychological, and social support that can be an invaluable part of living with a certain health condition.

The important thing to keep in mind about patient education is that what works for someone else may not necessarily work for you. Everyone is different, so just because a family member had lower back issues her entire life and used a combination of massage and hydrotherapy to relieve her pain, doesn’t mean that massage and hydrotherapy will work for you. Always consult your physician to ensure that one treatment won’t counteract another treatment or cause harm to yourself. And, above all, listen to your body. If you don’t feel well or a treatment worsens your symptoms, get checked out by your physician.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education. http://www.spineseminar.com/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

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