You often see them at the health clinic or in the waiting room at your doctor's. They're those little booklets or pamphlets that you turn to when you've read all the interesting magazines. However, with patient education handouts you not only can pass the time but also learn how to take control of your health.
The handouts usually come in pamphlet or brochure form. They're easy to fit in your bag and are normally free as well, so there's no excuse not to take some. The idea with them is to explain medical conditions in language that ordinary people can understand and to answer those questions you may have forgotten to ask your doctor. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find versions in other languages, such as Spanish, as well to make things easier for people who don't speak English as a first language.
Many pamphlets are related to living a healthy lifestyle and preventing illness. These days, most complaints that take people to the doctor, from gallstones to type 2 diabetes, are related to factors such as poor diet, smoking and drinking or not getting enough exercise. If you know, for instance, which foods to avoid and which to eat more of, you can reduce your risk of getting these conditions or, in some cases, even reverse the symptoms.
One of the most important developments in disease prevention has been vaccines. Most countries are now polio and smallpox free due to massive vaccination programs. You also need to have your child vaccinated against other communicable diseases, including measles and mumps. These diseases can have terrible consequences and not having your child vaccinated against them is irresponsible not only towards your family but towards the entire community. Pamphlets about vaccination will tell you more about how these vaccinations work and when to get them.
If you've already been diagnosed with a specific disease, you may find a booklet about it very helpful. It will answer those questions you forgot to ask your doctor about when you were first dealing with the diagnosis. Usually it uses simple language and diagrams to explain what the condition is, what may have caused it, what the symptoms are and your options for treatment.
Handouts are essential too in times when there is an outbreak of a highly contagious disease. Some of these diseases, such as ebola, are very scary and it's easy for people to panic. However, if you know more about how the disease is spread and what it does, you'll know when to seek medical help. This can help contain the outbreak.
Some of the most useful patient educational materials are those that are about conditions that you may feel embarrassed about. If you find, for instance, that there is blood when you've been to the bathroom, you may not want to discuss this with your doctor. Sometimes it can be a serious condition and if you can read up about it first, you'll know when to swallow your pride and tell your doctor about your symptoms.
The pamphlets are normally written by medical writers in conjunction with medical professionals. They may be produced by pharmaceutical companies or by health councils. It's a good idea to build up a collection that you can refer to when necessary. You may then even be able to save that expensive trip to the doctor.
The handouts usually come in pamphlet or brochure form. They're easy to fit in your bag and are normally free as well, so there's no excuse not to take some. The idea with them is to explain medical conditions in language that ordinary people can understand and to answer those questions you may have forgotten to ask your doctor. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find versions in other languages, such as Spanish, as well to make things easier for people who don't speak English as a first language.
Many pamphlets are related to living a healthy lifestyle and preventing illness. These days, most complaints that take people to the doctor, from gallstones to type 2 diabetes, are related to factors such as poor diet, smoking and drinking or not getting enough exercise. If you know, for instance, which foods to avoid and which to eat more of, you can reduce your risk of getting these conditions or, in some cases, even reverse the symptoms.
One of the most important developments in disease prevention has been vaccines. Most countries are now polio and smallpox free due to massive vaccination programs. You also need to have your child vaccinated against other communicable diseases, including measles and mumps. These diseases can have terrible consequences and not having your child vaccinated against them is irresponsible not only towards your family but towards the entire community. Pamphlets about vaccination will tell you more about how these vaccinations work and when to get them.
If you've already been diagnosed with a specific disease, you may find a booklet about it very helpful. It will answer those questions you forgot to ask your doctor about when you were first dealing with the diagnosis. Usually it uses simple language and diagrams to explain what the condition is, what may have caused it, what the symptoms are and your options for treatment.
Handouts are essential too in times when there is an outbreak of a highly contagious disease. Some of these diseases, such as ebola, are very scary and it's easy for people to panic. However, if you know more about how the disease is spread and what it does, you'll know when to seek medical help. This can help contain the outbreak.
Some of the most useful patient educational materials are those that are about conditions that you may feel embarrassed about. If you find, for instance, that there is blood when you've been to the bathroom, you may not want to discuss this with your doctor. Sometimes it can be a serious condition and if you can read up about it first, you'll know when to swallow your pride and tell your doctor about your symptoms.
The pamphlets are normally written by medical writers in conjunction with medical professionals. They may be produced by pharmaceutical companies or by health councils. It's a good idea to build up a collection that you can refer to when necessary. You may then even be able to save that expensive trip to the doctor.
About the Author:
You can visit www.vivacare.com for more helpful information about Take Charge Of Your Health With Patient Education Handouts.