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Patients Against Lymphoma |
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Resources to optimize consults with your doctor:Essentials:
Clinical Trials:
Tips, Tools and Related Articles
Return to topCare ManagersYou *may* be able to get the help of a care manager or care "navigator" from the place you get treatment. What you might ask: I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. Can you provide me with the names of care managers who can help me to organize what I need to know and do?
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Organize your information and point you to resources; |
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Find out what types of treatments and tests your insurance company pays for; |
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Make sure your doctors have everything they need before they meet with you, including your medical files, test results, treatment history files; |
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Understand what your doctor has explained to you about your diagnosis and treatment plan; |
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Answer any questions you might have after you leave the doctor's office. |
What you might ask:
I'm in need of special assistance because of one or more of the following:
anxiety, depression, confusion, fatigue, finances, pain ...
... Can you please provide me with contact information for special services to help me adjust to or overcome this problem?
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Mental health professionals (psychologists, or
psychiatrists) - can help you adjust to the stress of living with
cancer. Also see Support for Anxiety
and Depression page. |
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Social workers - can help you find
the resources you need, and provide direct support. |
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Support groups -
can help by providing encouragement, and helping you to find
resources. Also see Support Groups for how to join online groups. |
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Pain specialists - can help you to improve your
quality of life, and address problems related to your illness and
treatment. Also see Talking
About Pain and Pain Support. |
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Physical therapists -
can help you to address problems with mobility. |
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Nutrition experts - can help you to improve your quality of life, optimize your health, and reduce some risks related to diet and treatment. |
Begin your consult with:
Is this a good time to ask questions, doctor?
Important: Treatment and initial consults should not be rushed. Ask your doctor to schedule a time that allows for a thorough discussion of all appropriate options.
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Ask a trusted friend or family member to come
with you. |
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A referral from your primary care doctor when seeing a specialist |
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Authorization from your insurance company when special services or tests, or treatments will be administered. |
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Insurance cards - bring all to first consult; |
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Emergency contacts - bring a list of names, addresses, and telephone numbers to first consult; |
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Family doctor and local pharmacy - bring a list of names and contact information to first consult; |
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Pathology report and
slides - bring with you to
first consult; |
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Medical and treatment history - bring a summary to all consults. |
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A complete list of medications you are taking, including the dose and schedule; |
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Bring a list of the dietary supplements and herbs you may be taking. |
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Bring a list of dates, locations, and results of all doctor visits, tests, or x-rays; |
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Bring a copy of your recent radiology reports, and the film from the last image test if available. |
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A list of all your
questions. |
NOTE: A new federal law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA),
could make it more difficult for doctors to get these records from other doctors' offices.
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