Preparing For A Doctor’s Visit Could PayOff symptoms and raising issues or questions to the doctor, particularly in situations in which the patient may not understand the doctor’s advice. “My advice to all patients is to be informed about your health,” Dr. Savard said. “The more you are involved in your health care rather than relying solely on your doctor, the healthier you could be.” The survey of 1,000 Americans also reveals that the majority— seven in 10 people—leave their doctor’s office wishing they had asked more questions. Of these, one in four said that they were too intimidated, afraid or embarrassed to ask their doctors questions. “As a doctor, I want and need my patients to collaborate with me about their health care, because that’s good medicine for everyone involved,” Savard said. “T think fear is something that can be easily overcome if a patient takes the time before the visit to prepare, rather than arriving unprepared anddistracted.” Savard says her most important tip for preparing well for a doctor’s visit is to visit a web site that contains health information from sources that doctors trust a S and recommend. “Patients have access to credible, physician-trusted SCO) Welcome | Signin | Register |-|/-=™ Welcome to MERCI mete MERCED Your Online Health Partne information and};||_tools online. One|? information is MerckSource.com, NOOGTTAIS of the newest avenues to quality health and medical which provides| people with access | to the types of resources that can help them partner with their doctors in managing their health,” said. 4 4 TOPION Beds (NAPSA)—Whatholds greater value, preparing for a doctor’s visit before it occurs, or seeking health information after the fact? A new survey reveals that only about one in three people visit doctors’ offices armed with information they’ve already gathered, while close to two in three people seek out information after visiting their doctors. “There is tremendous value in preparing for a doctor’s visit,” said Marie Savard, M.D., internist, author and patient advocate based in Philadelphia. “Studies show that doctors base up to 80 percent of their diagnoses on what patients tell them about their symptoms, history andlifestyle.” Preparing in advance for a trip to the doctor helps a patient feel more confident in articulating 17 \ SE tools. Poe29> il j Briefs or comprehensive “4 Gendition So + Take a virual body tour ‘with the Animation & Player. c=<>=k E eal. PL aSenrshaveune Women, Mon, Childran, Sh nk Mr n, and loved ones can maintain a _ beetle a! Groner [a=iter here to find a [Paes ofcare and support resources that canhebxu mia more ur health, A Harvard Health E-Newsletter from. Harvard Medical School Register now on MerckSourceto receive a complimentary subscription to the Harvard Health E-Newsletter, This monthly publication features selections from Harvard Medical School's monthly newsletters addressing men’s heallh, women's health, general health, and news, Trusted Health Information Free of Advertising MerckSource.com provides information and tools from credible, independent, physicianreviewed health and medical sources, including The Merck Edition, Visit Conpition Guiees ike ~~ Now in Spanish! ee ADAM, we , Encyclopedia 2 Check out the Condition | | Savard Manual—Home (8) Condition Giudes can helpyoulear about and oF ndheath 1s wil credible information 9 resou fees, pabent ‘education,and interactive the world’s best-selling home medical book, the A.D.A.M. Health Ilus- trated Encyclopedia and Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary. These diverse resources help make MerckSource.com one of the most comprehensive health information web sites available through the Internet. “Some doctors may have been skeptical about health information that patients found online in the past,” Savard stated. “MerckSource.com provides patients with health information from the types of sources doctors trust, in an interactive, easy-to- understand format.” MerckSource.com offers its information at no charge, has a strict privacy policy and is free of advertising and product endorsements. Condition Guides and Virtual Body Tours MerckSource.com contains easy-to-use, comprehensive “Condition Guides” for more than 25 of the most prevalent chronic conditions—guides that help patients research and manage their health issues, find support and stay informed. This is complemented by HealthMaps,” a web resource that organizes more than 2,500 health topics into a logical “walk through” of various aspects of a disease, from its symptoms, causes and risk factors to available tests and ways to help managethe condition. Colorfully animated Virtual Body Tours also take visitors inside the body for a realistic, up-close look at more than 140 body systems and processes, such as circulation, breathing and digestion. Free Harvard Health E-Newsletter Right now, visitors who register on MerckSource.com can receive a complimentary one-year subscrip- tion to the Harvard Health E-Newsletter, which features con- tent from Harvard Medical School’s well-regarded monthly newsletters addressing health topics and news. About Merck Merck & Co., Ine. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical products and services company. Merck discovers, develops, manu- factures and markets a broad range of innovative products to improve human and animalhealth, directly andthroughits joint ventures.
