Patient Care

• In the Hospital: How to Get the Best Care

  Learn about the importance of asking questions and taking charge when in the hospital.

• Prostate Cancer: Should I Choose Active Surveillance?

  Guides you through decision to use active surveillance for men who have low-risk and for some men who have medium-risk localized prostate cancer. Lists reasons for and against active surveillance. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Preeclampsia: Expectant Management

  Expectant management, or observation, is sometimes used to manage complications of a high-risk pregnancy. Depending on the severity of your preeclampsia, you may need expectant management at home or in the hospital. Expectant management at home requires reduced activity and careful checking and daily recording of...

• Watchful Waiting (Surveillance) for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

  Watchful waiting (surveillance) is a period in the treatment of some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in which you are not having treatment. It does not mean that your doctors are giving up or refusing to give you treatment. During this time, you...

• Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer

  Most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer have localized cancer, which means that the cancer hasn't spread outside the prostate. Some men who have localized prostate cancer choose active surveillance, which allows them to avoid or delay having surgery or radiation. Active surveillance is an option for men with...

• Diabetes: Caregiving for an Older Adult

  Helping or caring for an older adult with diabetes can feel like a lot to take on. There's the challenge of caregiving—because what seems best for someone isn't always what that person wants to do. You may worry about invading your loved one's privacy or free will. There's also the stress of learning how to manage...

• Medical Specialists

  Info on healthcare professionals with training in specific areas. Links to info on physicians and other specialty doctors. Also includes links to info on other health professionals like physician assistants. Offers tips on preparing for appointments.

• Home Health Care: What to Expect

  Find out what home health care is and what to expect from it.

• Independent Living for People With Disabilities

  Some teens and young adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy or Down syndrome need extra help preparing for independent living. Major independent living skills include preparing meals, managing money, knowing when and where to seek medical...

• Long-Term Care Choices

  What is long-term care? As you or a family member ages, you may have concerns about how to manage health problems. Most people would like to stay in their homes and have family members help them out. But this isn't always possible. You or a loved one may not have training to provide some types of care. Or a...

• Alzheimer's or Other Dementia: Should I Move My Relative Into Long-Term Care?

  Guides you through decision to put a relative who has Alzheimer's or other dementia in long-term care. Lists reasons for and against. Covers types of long-term facilities available. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Stroke: Should I Move My Loved One Into Long-Term Care?

  Guides you through decision to put a loved one who has had a stroke into long-term care. Lists reasons for and against. Covers types of long-term centers. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Childhood Leukemia: Working With Your Care Team

  Find out how to work effectively with your child's care team to get answers and support.

• Stroke: Your Rehabilitation Team

  Rehabilitation after a stroke usually involves a number of health professionals. These may include the following people. Doctors and nurses Rehabilitation doctor. The rehabilitation doctor is in charge of your medical care after a stroke. This may be a physiatrist (a doctor who specializes in...

• Coronary Artery Disease: Roles of Different Doctors

  What health professionals are involved in taking care of people who have coronary artery disease? After a diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD), you should visit your primary care physician every few months. Your doctor can help track your condition and make sure that your treatment is going as planned. If you...

• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Your Medical Team

  A team of surgeons, nurses, and other medical staff will participate in your coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Each team member has a specific set of responsibilities before, during, and after the surgery. CABG surgery is a complex operation. It involves a great deal of technical expertise and precision. The...

• Spinal Cord Injury: Your Rehabilitation Team

  When you are recovering from a spinal cord injury (SCI), it is best to work with a group of health professionals known as a rehabilitation (rehab) team. Your rehab team designs a unique plan for your recovery that will help you recover as much function as possible, prevent complications, and help you live as...

• Barriers to Psychological Care

  You may feel that you do not want treatment for mental health problems. You may: Not trust mental health care professionals, such as counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers. Worry about money, even if you have insurance. Feel...

• Depression: Helping Someone Get Treatment

  Your loved one or friend doesn't seem the same. You thought it was the blues, but it's been going on for weeks. And it seems much worse than that. Is your friend grieving over something? Or could it be depression? If you want to learn more about grieving, see the topic Grief and Grieving. If you think someone close...

• Debbie's Story: People Can and Do Recover

  Debbie was raising four children, working 12-hour days, and doing all the cooking and housekeeping. "I was unhappy, crying, and my house was dirty. I'd try to cope by doing just a little bit more," Debbie says. "Needless to say, it unraveled." She healed through months of therapy. "I felt guilty for feeling bad," she...