Dave deBronkart (patient and patient advocate) and Dr. Danny Sands (his doctor) collaborated on a patient engagement handbook entitled "Let Patients Help!" It’s full of useful information, including lists of do’s and don’ts for patients, doctors and insurers.

deBronkart, also  known as “e-Patient Dave,” will be speaking at a free forum on Thursday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Columba’s Church. deBronkart’s story of how he survived cancer by collaborating with his physician is both inspirational and practical. As deBronkart says: “Whether it’s yourself, your child, your spouse, your mother — your time will come, when you’re the one in the hospital bed, or you’re the one at the bedside, holding someone’s hand and silently thinking, ‘Dear God, I hope she makes it.’”

After I read this handbook, I culled these 10 actions from deBronkart’s and Sands’ various lists about how patients should take more control over their own health and care. These are steps that you can take, either as a patient, or as a patient advocate for a loved one. I recommend that take this list with you to your next appointment with your physician or nurse practitioner:

1. Prepare for your visit: Read about your conditions and review your record. Make a list so you don’t forget and discuss the agenda in advance.

2. Learn how to identify good vs. bad health websites. Don’t take online diagnosis seriously until confirmed by a healthcare professional. Ask your doctor which website(s) he/she recommends for you.

3. Tell your doctor: “I’m the kind of person who likes to understand as much as I can about my health. May I ask some questions?” Then, start asking.

4. Observe, and say (if necessary): “I didn’t see you wash your hands, would you mind washing them again?”

5. Ask: “What’s the standard of care for my condition? When was it updated?” (The standard of care includes all the things that should be done for patients with certain conditions, like check the feet of a diabetic at each visit, or prescribe a baby aspirin each day for people with certain cardiac conditions.)

6. Ask: “What will this cost?” “Are there any other options?” “What happens if I choose to do nothing?”

7. Ask: “What’s your infection rate?”

8. Ask: “How can I talk with other patients?” (online or offline). (Often only other patients can give you the complete information you need to know about what’s about to happen.)

9. Ask: “Could I see my chart? (Or ask to see your child’s or parent’s chart). Be prepared to say: “This isn’t right in my chart.” (Something didn’t happen; something is missing). “Please fix it.”

10. Take notes and get copies of your clinicians’ notes. (This was recommended by Dr. Sands.)

deBronkart — e-Patient Dave — will provide a lot more helpful tips on how we can be better advocates for our family’s health and care on July 17 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Columba’s Church on Emery Lane in Boothbay Harbor.