Navigating the Health Care System: Advice from Dr. Clancy

Research

Navigating the Health Care System

Advice Columns from Dr. Carolyn Clancy

Carolyn Clancy, M.D., Director, AHRQ

AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy, M.D., has prepared brief, easy-to-understand advice columns for consumers to help navigate the health care system. They will address important issues such as how to recognize high-quality health care, how to be an informed health care consumer, and how to choose a hospital, doctor, and health plan. Check back regularly for new columns.

Dr. Clancy, a general internist and researcher, is an expert in engaging consumers in their health care.

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2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Date  Title
2012 
11/9/12Tool Helps Hospital Staff Improve Communications for Patients with Limited English Skills
10/2/12Teamwork a Key Feature of Patient Safety Improvement Program
9/4/12Helping You Avoid Return Trips to the Hospital
8/7/12Get Up-to-Date on Shots Before Summer Ends
7/10/12Revealing Medical Errors Helps Chicago Hospitals Build a Safer Health System
6/5/12Avoid Broken Bones: Learn About Low Bone Density
5/1/12One Step Forward on Quality Improvement, One Step Back on Access
4/3/12Consumers Learning To Recognize High-Value Health Care Providers
3/6/12New Processes Can Help Hospitals Spot—and Stop—Drug Errors
2/7/12Million Hearts Campaign Aims to Lower Risk, Improve Care
 
2011 
12/6/11Tools Help You Choose a Good Nursing Home
11/1/11How to Get a Good Value When Choosing a Health Plan
10/4/11New Initiative Urges Better Communication between Clinicians and Patients
9/6/11Research on Women's Health Issues Informs Treatment Choices
8/2/11Why You Need to Explore Your Treatment Options
7/5/11Resources to Help You Be a Better Caregiver
6/7/11New Public Service Campaign Urges Hispanics To Talk With Their Doctor
5/3/11Safety Culture Creates Better Care for Patients
4/5/11Health IT Tools Help with Care and Costs
3/1/11What You Can Do To Prevent A Fall
2/1/11Focus on Heart Health
1/4/11Your Options for Treating Rotator Cuff Tears
 
2010 
12/7/10Don't Let Medicines Cause Harm
11/2/10Quitting Smoking: You Can Do It
10/5/10Focus on Obesity
9/7/10Improving Your Health Literacy
8/3/10Treating High Cholesterol
7/6/10Why It's Wise to Use a Health Advocate
6/1/10How to Avoid the Round-Trip Visit to the Hospital
5/4/10Healthcare-Associated Infections: They Can Happen to You
4/6/10Same-Day Surgery: What You Should Know
3/2/10Comparing Blood Pressure Medicines
2/2/10Comparing Diabetes Drugs
1/5/10Comparing Medical Treatments for Antidepressants
 
2009 
11/3/09Does Your Hospital Do A Good Job?
10/6/09Open Enrollment: What To Consider When Choosing a Health Plan
9/15/09What You Need To Know about Blood Thinner Pills
9/1/09How to Make an Emergency Department Visit a Safe One
8/18/09Personalized Medicine's Frontier Is Coming Into View
8/4/09An Aspirin a Day? The Answer is Different for Men and Women
7/21/09Hospital Advisory Councils Get Patients' View on Safer Health Care
7/7/09Talking About End-of-life Treatment Decisions
6/16/09Keeping Track of Your Health Information
6/2/09New Reports Show Weak Progress on Health Quality
5/19/09Coordinating Your Care with a Medical Home
5/5/09Asking Questions to Get the Care You Need
4/21/09Off-Label Drugs: What You Need to Know
4/7/09Comparative Effectiveness Research: What It Means for You
3/17/09How To Complain—And Get Heard
3/3/09How Tired Is Your Doctor?
2/17/09New Web Tool Helps You Choose a Nursing Home
2/3/09How to Choose Long-Term Care Services
1/21/09New Hope for Chronic Disease Management
1/6/09Ready to Lose Weight in the New Year? Experts Offer Guidance for Adults and Children
 
2008 
12/16/08Better Information Helps Patients When They Leave the Hospital
12/2/08Online Tools Help Patients Find Good Health Information
11/18/08Guides Help Patients Find Their Best Treatment Options
11/5/08Keeping Healthy When the Economy Is Not
10/21/08Payment Change Puts Spotlight on Preventing Hospital Errors
10/7/08Checklist Helps Men Keep on Track to Good Health
9/16/08Checklist Helps Women Give Equal Time to Their Health Needs
9/2/08Helpful Steps To Take After You Get a Diagnosis
8/19/08How To Use Hospital Emergency Rooms Wisely
8/5/08Checklists Help Men and Women Stay Healthy at 50-Plus
7/15/08Tips To Help You Find a Good Doctor
7/1/08Simple Steps Can Reduce Health Care-Associated Infections
6/17/08Do Your Homework Before You Choose A Hospital
6/3/08Smart Choices: How to Choose a Health Plan That's Right for You
5/20/08What's Your Health Literacy Score?
5/6/08Real Men Wear Gowns—And Help Their Health
4/15/08Superhéroes TV and Radio Ads Encourage Hispanics to Get Involved in Their Own Health Care
4/1/08Your Experience in the Hospital and Why it Matters
3/18/08Balancing Treatment Advice: Benefits, Risks, and Personal Choice
3/4/08Big Strides, not Small Steps, Needed to Boost Health Care Quality
2/19/08Busting Myths About Health Care Quality
2/5/08Asking Questions About Medical Tests
1/16/08What to Ask Before Surgery
1/2/08Tips for Taking Medicines Safely
 
2007 
12/18/07Where Medical Errors Occur and Steps You Can Take to Avoid Them
12/4/07Facing the Facts—Get Involved to Get Better Care
11/20/07Health Care Quality: Take A Closer Look
10/30/07Becoming an Involved Health Care Consumer
10/16/07Recognizing High-Quality Health Care

Internet Citation:

Navigating the Health Care System: Advice Columns from Dr. Carolyn Clancy. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/cc.htm

 

Current as of December 2012
Internet Citation: Navigating the Health Care System: Advice from Dr. Clancy. December 2012. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/cc.html