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National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

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Patient Centered Learning

Patient Centered Learning

 

Welcome to Patient Centered Learning

This national VA program is supported by the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. We focus on accelerating adoption of health literacy strategies in VA. This helps you get health information that is:

  • Easy to find,
  • Easy to understand, and
  • Easy to use.

When you better understand health information you can:

  • Make more informed decisions about your care
  • Follow instructions better
  • Take medicines correctly
  • Know when and how to ask for more information

4 ways to get the most out of your health care visit:

1. Ask Questions and Take Notes: If something is unclear, ask. It’s important to know what your diagnosis means and how your treatment will work. Make a list of questions before your appointment , take notes during your visit, and bring a support person for shared understanding. Let your health care team know if you want to review your treatment plan again before leaving your appointment.

2. Tell Your Providers What Matters Most to You: Share your priorities and concerns so they can customize care to fit your life.

3. Repeat Information Back: To make sure you’ve understood correctly, explain what you heard in your own words. This helps clear up misunderstandings right away.

4. Use Reliable Sources: When looking up information, use trusted websites or materials your health care provider recommends. The Veterans Health Library is a VA trusted online source for health information. If your providers mention online resources, but you don’t have internet access or would prefer something printed to take home, just ask.


Watch the short Ask Me 3® video above to learn what to ask at your visit.

 

Ask Me 3® refers to these questions:
1. What’s the main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important for me to do this?

 

Learn more on this topic from VA’s Healthy Living Message: Be Involved in Your Healthcare
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