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It’s been a real delight for Mary and me to watch how well Kate and Andy have gelled as a team in caring for little Rowan, now about 15 weeks old. Their partnership, along with some fine and some terrible examples of teamwork this weekend during the football playoffs, got me thinking again about how critical working together with others is in my work.

Fifteen years ago, when I first spoke to a meeting of my system’s board of directors, I stressed how heart surgery was a team sport. I pointed out that my job, in addition to being personally proficient and skillful as a surgeon, was to assemble, train and empower a large group of committed teammates, all of whom would be key in providing great care. Happily this focus has been successful in evolving excellent programs throughout our region and beyond.

But the team, for the best in health care, includes you too.

Great communication among you, your loved ones and your health and wellness professionals will definitely improve your chances of a healthy life.

What should you do?

Take an active role in every decision regarding your health care. Demand a clear outline of the pros and cons of all tests, treatments or procedures.

At least once a year collect all you medicines and supplements and bring them to you doctor to review. Make sure the records are correct and that any possible interactions are noted. It’s a good practice to get all you prescriptions filled at the same place too, so that the pharmacist’s computer system can catch potential problems as well.

Know what each drug is for, how much, when and how to take it, what to do after a missed dose, what side effects to watch for, what interactions with other drugs or foods could be important. In short, read the stuff that comes with the bottle.

Report any newly developed allergy, bad reactions or intolerance of drugs, food or topical compounds to your doctor.

Unless you’ve seen it happen, ask you healthcare workers, including your doctor, if they’ve washed their hands before they touch you. I mean it, ask — sometimes we forget — anyone who gets upset shouldn’t be in medicine.

Be sure you understand instructions, write them down and speak up, don’t let jargon confuse you. The best solution is to repeat the instructions back to the provider and make them slow down if you need to. It’s very important that you have a clear idea of your role and that any hesitation you or your family has is addressed because often there’s other options that might be easier or more appropriate in your particular situation.

It’s very frustrating for your health care teammates when they could have helped, but because of your hesitation or fear of speaking up, they never knew there was a problem.

Tell your provider who else is helping to look after you. Integrated health systems usually have the advantage of a common medical record so that if you see specialists, get tests and use facilities within the network, the records are available to all within the team. Many also include ways for you to access your own records, communicate with your teammates and even schedule visits through your computer or smart phones. However, even if your personal team is not connected as part of the same network, you should insist that they talk with each other, share records and know what the others are up to. You may ask for and keep copies of important records in your own files.

If financial issues interfere with your ability to follow your providers’ advice, like a drug’s cost, or inability to take time off of work, or insurance coverage…mention it. Perhaps an alternative can be developed. Get the TEAM working on your behalf? Don’t suffer in silence.

Take an active part in your care. Be your own advocate. Speak up.

Good teamwork almost always plays a part in great outcomes. Be part of a great team.

I’ll let you know how Ro’s christening goes in a few weeks!

Alfred Casale To Your Health
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_casale-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAlfred Casale To Your Health

By Alfred Casale

To Your Health

Dr. Alfred Casale is chairman of surgery for the Geisinger Heart Institute, co-director of the Cardiovascular Service Line for the Geisinger Health System and Associate Chief Medical Officer for the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. Readers may write to him via [email protected].