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| Foreword | |
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| Preface | |
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| Preparing for Research | |
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| Reasons to research | |
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| Asking your doctor for information | |
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| Communicating effectively | |
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| Understanding your diagnosis | |
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| Prioritizing your research | |
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| Identifying your range of options | |
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| Getting to know your medical team | |
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| Knowing your own interests and limitations | |
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| Managing your time and resources | |
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| Knowing Your Rights | |
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| Your right to participate | |
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| Informed consent | |
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| Medical records | |
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| The pragmatic health consumer | |
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| Helping a Friend or Family Member | |
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| Talking with the patient | |
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| Determining your role | |
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| Forming a partnership | |
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| Talking with the doctor | |
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| Accessing patient records | |
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| Medical genealogy | |
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| Identifying Information Resources | |
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| Range of resources | |
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| Medical textbooks | |
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| Medical journals, peer-reviewed | |
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| Non-reviewed medical journals | |
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| Physician guidelines | |
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| Consumer health books | |
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| Consumer health magazines | |
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| Medical newsletters | |
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| Pamphlets and booklets | |
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| Programs and abstracts | |
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| Audiotapes and videotapes | |
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| Computer databases and CD-ROMs | |
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| News reports | |
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| Gaining Access to Information Resources | |
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| Libraries | |
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| Bookstores | |
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| Government agencies | |
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| Professional associations | |
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| Nonprofit organizations | |
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| Patient resource centers | |
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| Medical research centers | |
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| Medical product manufacturers | |
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| The Internet and electronic subscription services | |
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| Effective Search Strategies | |
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| Things to consider before you begin | |
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| Research tools and scenarios | |
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| Ways a librarian can help | |
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| Hiring a professional researcher | |
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| Understanding Standard Treatment Options | |
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| Defining standard treatments | |
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| How doctors select and recommend treatments | |
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| Your own research | |
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| Locating and contacting experts | |
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| Reading guidelines that doctors use | |
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| Clinical practice guidelines | |
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| Clinical pathways | |
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| Evidence-based medicine | |
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| Standard treatmentschange constantly | |
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| Identifying your own comfort level | |
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| Researching Clinical Trials | |
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| What is a clinical trial? | |
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| Who designs a clinical trial and why? | |
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| Why research clinical trials? | |
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| Are clinical trials safe? | |
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| How is a clinical trial structured? | |
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| Issues to consider | |
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| List of questions to ask about the trial | |
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| How to find clinical trials | |
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| Drugs and trials overseas | |
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| Complementary and Alternative Therapies | |
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| Defining CAM therapies | |
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| Taking a new look at complementary and alternative therapies | |
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| Considering an alternative or complementary therapy | |
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| Concerns about complementary and alternative treatments | |
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| Evaluating complementary and alternative therapies | |
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| Talking with your doctor | |
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| Expenses and insurance coverage | |
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| Where to look for reliable information | |
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| Support: Learning from Others | |
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| Benefits of social networks | |
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| The human perspective | |
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| What kind of support do you want? | |
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| Personal contacts | |
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| Consulting counselors | |
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| Accessing spiritual counselors | |
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| Support groups | |
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| Other healing group activities | |
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| Online support groups | |
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| Friends for support | |
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| Obtaining and giving assistance | |
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| Why find support? | |
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| Evaluating and Using Statistics | |
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| Why you should be familiar with statistics | |
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| Misperceptions of risk | |
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| Medical tests | |
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| How disease rates are measured | |
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| Risk calculation | |
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| Using statistics to evaluate treatment options | |
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| Reading a medical research paper | |
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| What statistics can and cannot tell you | |
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| Reviewing Information with Your Doctor | |
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| Elements of a working relationship | |
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| The doctor's role and contribution | |
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| Your role and contribution | |
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| Preparing for your appointment | |
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| Exchanging information with your doctor | |
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| Creating a plan of action | |
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| Handling potential problems | |
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| Making Your Decision | |
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| Difficulties of medical decisions | |
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| Components of a medical decision | |
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| Decision, choice, and responsibility | |
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| Arranging for others to carry out your decisions | |
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| Patient Questionnaire | |
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| Resources | |
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| Glossary | |
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| Notes | |
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| Index | |