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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 | |