1. Be a Partner with Your Physician Stephen TePastte M.D. Medical Director MESSA

2. 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!

3. Be a partner in your own care and decision- making. Have all your tests results thoroughly explained.thoroughly Have risks and benefits of tests and treatments thoroughly explained to you.thoroughly Have your care based on evidence-based medicine.evidence-based medicine Making Smart Medical Decisions…

4. 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

5. : KYN: Blood Pressure SystolicDiastolic Normal<120<80 Pre-hypertension120-13980-89 High Blood Pressure >140>90

6. KYN: Fasting Blood Sugar (Glucose) <100Normal 100-126Pre-diabetes >126Diabetes

7. KYN: LDL (Lousy) Cholesterol <70Optimal 70-100Excellent 100-129Good 130-159Borderline High 160-189High >190Very High

8. KYN: HDL (Healthy) Cholesterol <40 Very Low 41-50Low 51-60Good >60Optimal

9. KYN: Triglycerides <100Optimal 101-199Borderline High 200-499High >500Very High

10. Cancer Screenings Thorough skin exam Women: thorough GYN exam Men: thorough testicular and prostate exam Mammography PSA Colonoscopy

11. Get Up-To-Date on Vaccines- 2012 ACIP Adult Immunization Schedule Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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-

15. 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?”

16. Research Tells Us … Effective patient-doctor communication allows for: More accurate diagnoses More compliance Better preventive care Higher patient and physician satisfaction

17. 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.