It’s not fun to feel sick. And it can really interfere with your life. But it’s really maddening when no one can figure out what’s wrong with you. You trudge from doctor to doctor, often undergoing many tests. You might be incorrectly diagnosed. As a result, you might undergo various treatments that don’t help. Or […]
Archive | Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
What are Doctors Doing to Reduce Diagnostic Errors?
By zaggocare on October 1, 2018 in Medical Errors, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
No one wants to hear they have cancer or another serious illness. It’s scary and overwhelming. What’s worse? A doctor telling you he/she failed to realize that you’ve had cancer (or another serious illness) for weeks or months, delaying potentially life-saving treatments. Also horrible? Receiving treatments for an illness you don’t even have. Diagnostic errors, […]
Learn a Lesson From Serena Williams: Trust Your Instincts When it Comes to Your Health
By zaggocare on February 26, 2018 in Communicating with Your Healthcare Team, Medical Errors, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Speaking up can reduce your risk of a misdiagnosis! Have you ever felt that your doctor isn’t listening to you? Have you had your concerns brushed aside? Are you wondering how you can reduce your risk of a misdiagnosis? It happens in doctors’ offices, emergency departments and hospital rooms – patients have a sense of […]
Researching New Treatment Options by Evaluating Clinical Trial Results
By zaggocare on February 19, 2018 in Treatment Decisions, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Are you trying to find information on new treatments? When you, or a loved one, have a serious medical condition, it is natural, and important, to want to learn as much as you can about the condition and potential treatments. When traditional, often-used treatments are not promising, or not working for you or your loved […]
What You Need to Know About Clinical Trials Before You Sign the Dotted Line
By zaggocare on February 12, 2018 in Treatment Decisions, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Is a clinical trial right for you? When you are dealing with a serious illness, there may come a time when you consider a clinical trial. Perhaps there are no known successful treatments, or perhaps you have tried all of the existing therapies and none of them have worked as you and your doctor hoped. […]
Patient-Doctor Communication. What’s the Impact on Patient Health?
By zaggocare on September 11, 2017 in Communicating with Your Healthcare Team, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Research has shown that effective patient-doctor communication in healthcare is linked to higher patient and doctor satisfaction, better adherence to treatment plans, more appropriate medical decisions and better health outcomes. This should be enough to convince you that effective, clear conversations with your medical team are crucial. However, effective communication between the patient and doctor […]
The Dangers of Too Many Tests and Treatments for Patients
By zaggocare on August 28, 2017 in Treatment Decisions, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Are Americans Being Overtested and Overtreated? Sadly, the Answer is a Resounding Yes! Have you ever insisted on a test or treatment when your doctor is suggesting otherwise? Has your doctor pressured you to get tested, or undergo a treatment, that you didn’t think was needed? The dangers of too many tests and treatments for […]
What, I Still Need Glasses? Issues to Consider Before Cataract Surgery.
By zaggocare on July 31, 2017 in Treatment Decisions, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
This post was written by a Zaggo team member. Do you know the issues to consider before cataract surgery? A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most are related to aging and are very common in older people, although younger people can have them as well. By the […]
The Benefits of OpenNotes
By zaggocare on March 20, 2017 in Communicating with Your Healthcare Team, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Ever wonder what your doctor is typing during your appointment? Or what they are writing about you after you leave? Are you curious to see what is in your medical records? You should be! Having access to your doctors’ notes and test results can help you engage in your care, identify errors in your records, […]
Does Where You Live Impact Cancer Outcome? Sadly, Yes.
By zaggocare on February 6, 2017 in Treatment Decisions, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Do You Have Cancer? Your Zip Code May Influence Your Odds of Survival Getting a cancer diagnosis has got to be one of life’s scariest moments. We all hope we never have to hear those words. What if you found out that you had cancer and an increased chance of dying from your cancer because […]