Care that “works the best” is care that gets the best results for your health and is as safe as possible. Doctors and scientists do a lot of research to find out:
- What works best to catch health problems early
- What tests are best for finding out what's wrong
- Which treatments help the most and have the fewest side effects
Doctors who are national experts use this information to develop quality standards or “guidelines” that you can read and use to help you know what kind of care you need.
Tips to help you get care that works the best
- Use a consumer guide
The federal Agency on Health Care Research and Quality has produced a series of helpful consumer guides that tell which kinds of care work best for certain health conditions.
Call (800) 358-9295 for a printed copy or visit www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov
- Do your own search to find out which kinds of care work best
For practical advice and recommended sources for reliable health information, read this government guide: Next steps after diagnosis: Finding information and support
If you are looking for health information on the internet, be very careful about which websites you use. For tips, read our brochure: How can you find trustworthy health information on the web?
- Check to see if the care you are getting meets quality standards
A good resource on diabetes is the Oregon Diabetes Resource Bank website