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Advice Columns from Dr. Carolyn Clancy
AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy, M.D., has prepared brief, easy-to-understand advice columns for consumers to help navigate the health care system. They address important issues in order to help people become informed health care consumers.
Lead Story - 2009 Guide to Clinical Preventive Services
A pocket-size book of the preventive screenings, tests and services recommended from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
High Blood Pressure Medicines Show Promise for Treating Heart Disease
AHRQ research shows two medications used to treat high blood pressure may also be effective in treating stable ischemic heart disease.
Column Library:
Date
Title
11/03/2009
Does Your Hospital Do A Good Job?
10/06/2009
Open Enrollment: What To Consider When Choosing a Health Plan
9/15/2009
What You Need to Know about Blood Thinner Pills
9/01/2009
How to Make an Emergency Department Visit a Safe One
8/18/2009
Personalized Medicine's Frontier Is Coming Into View
8/04/2009
An Aspirin a Day? The Answer is Different for Men and Women
7/21/2009
Hospital Advisory Councils Get Patients' View on Safer Health Care
7/07/2009
Talking About End-of-life Treatment Decisions
6/16/2009
Keeping Track of Your Health Information
6/02/2009
New Reports Show Weak Progress on Health Quality
5/19/2009
Coordinating Your Care with a Medical Home
5/05/2009
Asking Questions to Get the Care You Need
4/21/2009
Off-Label Drugs: What You Need to Know
4/07/2009
Comparative Effectiveness Research: What It Means for You
3/17/2009
How To Complain - And Get Heard
3/03/2009
How Tired Is Your Doctor?
2/17/2009
New Web Tool Helps You Choose a Nursing Home
2/03/2009
How to Choose Long-Term Care Services
1/21/2009
New Hope for Chronic Disease Management
1/06/2009
Ready to Lose Weight in the New Year? Experts Offer Guidance for Adults and Children
12/16/2008
Better Information Helps Patients
12/02/2008
Online Tools Help Patients Find Good Health Information
11/18/2008
Guides Help Patients Find Their Best Treatment Options
11/05/2008
Keeping Healthy When the Economy Is Not
10/21/2008
Payment Change Puts Spotlight on Preventing Hospital Errors
10/07/2008
Checklist Helps Men Keep on Track to Good Health
9/16/2008
Checklist Helps Women Give Equal Time to Their Health Needs
9/02/2008
Helpful Steps To Take After You Get a Diagnosis
8/19/2008
How To Use Hospital Emergency Rooms Wisely
8/05/2008
Checklists Help Men and Women Stay Healthy at 50+
7/15/2008
Tips To Help You Find a Good Doctor
7/01/2008
Simple Steps Can Reduce Health Care-Associated Infections
6/17/2008
Do Your Homework Before You Choose A Hospital
6/03/2008
Smart Choices: How to Choose a Health Plan That’s Right for You
5/20/2008
What's Your Health Literacy Score
5/06/2008
Real Men Wear Gowns - And Help Their Health
4/15/2008
Superheroes TV and Radio Ads Encourage Hispanics to Get Involved in Their Own Health Care
4/01/2008
Your Experience in the Hospital and Why it Matters
3/18/2008
Balancing Treatment Advice: Benefits, Risks, and Personal Choice
3/04/2008
Big Strides, Not Small Steps, Needed to Boost Health Care Quality
2/19/2008
Busting Myths About Health Care Quality
2/05/2008
Asking Questions About Medical Tests
1/16/2008
What to Ask Before Surgery
1/02/2008
Tips for Taking Medicines Safely
12/18/2007
Where Medical Errors Occur and Steps You Can Take to Avoid Them
12/04/2007
Facing the Facts: Get Involved to Get Better Care
11/20/2007
Health Care Quality: Take A Closer Look
10/30/2007
Becoming an Involved Health Care Consumer
10/16/2007
Recognizing High-Quality Health Care
Does Your Hospital Do A Good Job?
Thanks to an easy-to-use Web site called Hospital Compare, you can now find out how often patients treated at your hospital end up returning within 30 days of going home.
Open Enrollment: What To Consider When Choosing a Health Plan
To get the best value from your health plan, you need to understand your different coverage options and how they work.
What You Need to Know about Blood Thinner Pills
Some medicines, such as blood thinner pills, require you to make lifestyle changes. These changes are important for you to stay safe and healthy.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD 20850
Telephone: (301) 427-1364