A serious diagnosis can rock you, but you can regain control by learning all you can, seeking support--and, above all, working with your health care team.

If your doctor says you have a serious condition, what should you do? You're bound to be shaken by a diagnosis that could change your life. But if ever there's a time when it's important to work closely with your doctors and make informed decisions about your health care, this is it.

The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recommends these five steps:

1. Avoid Hasty Decisions
Take the time required to make vital decisions about your health. Fear, depression, stress, anger--a wave of emotions can swamp you when you get a serious diagnosis. That's all normal.

But you'll usually have some time to weigh your options thoughtfully. You should definitely take advantage of that time.

2. Seek Support
Rely on family, friends, people who are coping with the same issues, and people who have already overcome them. For example, you might want to have someone visit the doctor with you. Your companion can help you come up with questions and write down the answers.

Your alternatives to flying solo include:

• Finding a support or self-help group, in person or online
• Talking with a person who has gone through the same illness (a support group can provide names)
• Seeking professional help, such as counselors or therapists

3. Talk with Your Doctor
Good communication with your health care practitioner--your doctor, nurse, physician assistant, or other clinician--is critical. The AHRQ suggests raising the questions that follow with this professional. These questions can help you learn about your illness, its possible treatments, and what you must do before you pick a course of action:

• What's the name of my illness, and what does it mean in simple terms?
• What's my outlook for the future?
• How soon must I choose a treatment?
• Will I need any more tests? What type and when?
• What are my alternatives for treatment?
• What are the pluses and minuses of these alternatives?
• Is there a research study that may be a good fit for me?
• How should I alter my daily life based on this diagnosis?
• What groups do you suggest for information and support?
• Where can I find more information (websites, booklets, or DVDs, for instance)?

Ask your doctor to write out information about your treatment options and these treatments' goals. And don't hesitate to ask your doctor to recommend other physicians who can offer a second opinion on your case. Second opinions can bolster your faith in the care you choose. Many health plans cover second opinions. Some require them. (See Getting a Second Opinion, below.)

According to the AHRQ, taking part in an open dialogue with your doctor can help you in several ways:

• You'll feel better about the care you get.
• You'll have better results: less pain and fewer symptoms, for instance.
• You'll lower your risk for medical mistakes.
• You'll get higher-quality care.

4. Seek Out Information
Once you know your treatment options, do some research on your own. Figure out which choices have proven most effective. Learn which alternatives are backed by the best scientific proof--so-called evidence-based information, like the latest research in medical journals. This includes the results of clinical trials involving human volunteers as well as outcomes research, which reviews how patients fare after treatment.

Health information is all around us today--but some is unreliable. The AHRQ offers a booklet that lists credible sources, including federal websites, that can lead you to solid medical information. You can even find out if there's a clinical trial that might be a good fit for you. You can see the booklet at www.ahrq.gov/consumer/diaginfo.pdf. .

Other reputable resources include national nonprofit groups, such as the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association; groups of medical specialists; medical schools; and university hospitals.

5. Settle on a Treatment Plan
Once you feel you've gathered enough information to make informed decisions, talk with your doctor. Here are two key points to discuss:

• Which treatments for your illness have been found effective or ineffective?
• What are the good and bad points of each potential treatment?

Taking into account your preferences and feelings, you and your doctor can decide on the treatment or treatments that suit you best. As part of your treatment plan, you should understand clearly what you need to do for the best results.

It may seem like a lot of work. But research shows that patients who take a greater role in their health care tend to do better, the AHRQ notes.

Getting a Second Opinion

Depending on your condition, different doctors might take different views on how best to treat you. If you receive a serious diagnosis, you might want to check with more than one doctor before you get further care.

Regardless of your sex, the following advice from the National Women's Health Information Center might make sense for you:

• Ask your doctor to suggest a second doctor who can look at your case. Don't fret about offending your doctor. Most physicians appreciate a second opinion, especially in cases that call for long-term therapy or surgery.
• Seek recommendations from trusted parties. If you don't want to ask your own doctor for a name, call another doctor you can rely on. Another option: Call nearby teaching hospitals or medical societies to get doctors' names. You can often find such information on the Internet, too.
• Have your medical records sent to the second doctor. You'll have to give your current doctor written permission to pass along records or test results. You can also get a copy of your records for yourself.
• Learn all you can. Your doctor, your local library, or the library at a teaching hospital or university can provide information. You can also search the Internet. If you have questions on what you find, write them down to ask your second doctor.
• Don't get a second opinion on the Web or over the phone. You need to be examined by a doctor. The doctor will also go over your medical records, ask you questions, and possibly order more tests.

What if you get competing opinions from the two doctors? You might want to go back to your first doctor and discuss your case further. Or you could consult a third doctor before deciding on the right treatment--and who should provide it.

By Bruce E. Beans, a feature writer for Vitality. For more information, visit the website of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality at www.ahrq.gov and click on "Consumers & Patients."

© Krames StayWell. Information is the opinion of the sourced authors and organizations. Personal decisions regarding health, diet, and exercise should be made only after consultation with the reader's own medical advisers. This material may not be reproduced for redistribution without written permission from Krames StayWell.