http://www.medscape.com/medscapetoday?src=hdr
Patient Advocate Foundation
National non-profit organization
Serves as an active liaison between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters relative to their diagnosis through case managers, doctors and attorneys
(800) 532-5274
http://www.patientadvocate.org
People's Medical Society®
Goals include to -
Place previously unavailable information into the hands of ordinary people so that they can make informed decisions about their own health care
Publish information designed to make every American a smart health care consumer
Investigate and expose incidents of arrogance, incompetence and greed in organized medicine
Protect the freedom to choose alternative providers of health care services
Make the prevention of disease the top priority of American medicine
Work toward creating an American health care system that is affordable, compassionate and centered around the needs of people
(610) 770-1670
http://www.peoplesmed.org
United Health Foundation
Established in 1999 as a nonprofit, private foundation with a mission to support the health and medical decisions made by physicians, health professionals, community leaders and individuals that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities.
Provides annual report entitled, "America's Health: State Health Rankings"
http://www.unitedhealthfoundation.org
Your Personal Medical Assistant (PMA)
A system designed so that you can easily organize and access your health-related documents and information. Your PMA contains everything you need in one easy-to-find and easy-to-remember location. Why do you need this? Your PMA organizes your health information and makes your critical information portable for easy reference during appointments.
Your PMA -
Bright, easy to read, useful forms to track your health issues
Provides you with multiple copies of each of 8 forms
Contains all you need to get started
A complete package costs $19.95
Order online or contact Strong Consulting
(888) 332-6297
http://www.anurseatyourside.com/pma.php
Web MD Health (a website by "trusted research organizations, manufacturers, and other leaders dedicated to treating and managing your health")
Provides helpful information on -
Diseases and conditions
Check symptoms
Medical library
Drugs and herbs
Health tools
Clinical trials
Medicare Rx benefits
Health plan
http://www.webmd.com
As Werner von Braun once said, "Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing." And, most of us start here!
JARI HOLLAND BUCK is a business consultant, medical layperson, Reiki Master and Shamanic Practitioner who spent 7-1/2 months in four hospitals with her critically ill husband. During 5+ months on life support, every organ in his body failed, yet he survived. Learn more about how to be an advocate in her book, Hospital Stay Handbook: A Guide to Becoming A Patient Advocate for Your Loved Ones, winner of the 2006 Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award and finalist in the Fresh Voices of 2006 Health category.