Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
We're talking about managing your health this week on Healthwatch. Previously, we talked about the important numbers you need to know. Keeping track of your progress in these areas is becoming easier as more doctors and medical practices use computer systems that allow patients access to their health information.
These systems help patients keep track of appointments, view lab test results and manage prescription refills.
Dr. Shelley Roaten, chairman of family and community medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, says systems like this help patients become more active members of the health-care team. These systems are especially helpful for managing chronic conditions, and they can help improve communication between patients and physicians. Having medical information available online can also be helpful if you have medical needs when you're away from home or if you become displaced in a crisis.
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November 2005
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