At our practice, we are committed to providing you with the best possible care and supporting you in making informed decisions about your health. We encourage you to “Choose Wisely” by considering the following:
- Ask Questions : Don’t hesitate to ask questions about your diagnosis, treatment options, and what each option entails. Understanding your care plan is crucial to making informed decisions.
- Understand Your Options : Be aware of all available treatment options, including the option to take no action. Discuss the potential benefits, risks, and uncertainties of each option with your healthcare provider.
- Consider Your Values and Preferences : Your values and preferences are important in making healthcare decisions. Share these with your healthcare provider to ensure your care aligns with what matters most to you.
- Seek Reliable Information : Use trusted sources, such as the NHS website, to gather information about your condition and treatment options. Be cautious of misinformation from unverified sources.
- Discuss Preventative Care : Engage in conversations about preventative measures that can improve your long-term health and wellbeing. This includes lifestyle changes, screenings, and vaccinations.
By choosing wisely, you can take an active role in your healthcare journey and work collaboratively with your healthcare team to achieve the best outcomes.
There is a useful leaflet which patients can use when attending an appointment to help you to choose wisely. It can be found here: Choosing Wisely – AOMRC
Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles
What do we mean by Healthy Lifestyles? By taking some small steps we can all improve our health and wellbeing. We might need to move more, stop smoking, drink less alcohol or eat a healthier diet, for example.
LiveWellDorset is a good starting point for free help and advice. Your health is our interest but your responsibility.