PSA CAMPAIGN URGES GREATER PATIENT INVOLVEMENT

Health care professionalsare urgingadults to take a moreactive role in theiroverall health. In aneffort to prompt moreinvolvement, the Agencyfor Healthcare Researchand Quality(AHRQ) and the AdvertisingCouncil have launched a national public serviceannouncement (PSA) campaign.

The campaign, "Questions Are the Answer: Get More withYour Health Care," encourages patients (and caregivers) to takeresponsibility for their health by asking questions. Audiences willsee television, radio, print, and Web advertising that directsthem to call a toll-free number and to visit the AHRQ Web site.

The Web site features tips to help patients become involved,including the following suggestions:

• Bring a list of questions to each medical appointment
• Take notes in the examination room
• Get results of medical tests
• When leaving the hospital, make sure that instructionsregarding follow-up care and medications are understood

For patients who are unsure what to ask, the Web site alsofeatures a "question builder" to help patients generate a list ofcomprehensive questions. For more information, call 800-931-AHRQ, or visit www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer/.