What is "Patient Self-Management"?

Your health care providers want you to know a very important philosophy of medical care that will improve your ability to LIVE WELL WITH HIV. This approach is based on evidence learned in the field of chronic disease (like diabetes, hypertension, asthma) now applied to HIV. Studies have shown that the more that you are able to actively participate in managing your health care the better your health status will be.

You are a member of a HealthCARE Team-you, your doctor, your nurse, your case manager-all working together to accomplish the same goal: LIVING WITH HIV. The medically-trained members of your team (R.N., M.D.) are your best resource for scientifically based evidence of treatments with the highest rate of success.

The purpose of this handbook is to assure that you have information that you need to better manage your healthcare. Use it as a reference, a resource, a journal, a reminder system. Write down questions that you want to ask your healthcare providers at your next appointment. Take more control of LIVING WITH HIV.

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