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We would like to insist on the importance for you of « BEING ACTIVE IN YOUR OWN HEALTH ».
Understanding and learning about your disorders means "tame", "combat" ... Everybody will choose the word he prefers, but the most important part about it is to ACT !
To begin, it is essential to be able to accept the diagnosis and, therefore, the illness, to begin to heal.
This basic rule is essential and we would like to direct your attention to this fact :
As a patient, you have rights, notably to be informed and to be given all precise and necessary explanations about your state of health and to receive clear answers to all of your questions.
For example, in France, many texts already specified for the patient, the right to get information and the principle of free and informed consent :
- Article L. 1111-2 Code of Public Health reviewed by the Law of 4 March 2002 provides that every person has the right to be informed about his health.
This information is all the more necessary that Article L. 1111-4 states that "any person shall take, with the health professional and the information and recommendations it provides, the decisions regarding his health."
- Article 16-3, paragraph 2, of the Civil Code which states: "The consent must be obtained in advance except when his state necessitates a therapeutic intervention and when he is not able to consent."
- Article 35, paragraph 1 of the Decree of 6/9/95 (new Code of Medical Ethics): "The physician must provide to the person examined, treated or advised, a fair, clear and appropriate information concerning its condition, investigations and treatment that are proposed. Throughout the disease, he takes in account the personality of the patient in his explanations and ensure their understanding "(art. 35);" Consent of the person under examination or treatment must be sought in all cases "(art. 36); and art. 42 for minors or adults protected: "A doctor called to give care to a minor or an adult protected should try to prevent his parents or his legal representative and obtain their consent";
- The charter of the patient, part IV: "any medical procedure can be performed without the patient's consent, except when his condition requires the act to which it is unable to consent."
Concerning France, The High Health Authority (HAS) was created by the law of 13 August 2004 pertaining to medical insurance in order to contribute to maintaining a health system in solidarity with and reinforcing the quality of treatment, benefitting patients. Additionally, the National Agency of Accreditation and Evaluation of Health has clearly insisted for several years that health professionals respect the following rules in the interest of the patient.
The following extract is for your information :
« … CHAPTER 3 – PATIENT CARE DELIVERY
Reference 31 The patient is informed as to their state of health and is a completely involved in decisions regarding their medical care.
31.a. The patient receives coordinated information from health professionals about his/her state of health and treatment during the entire course of medical care. Referrals can be made to other health professionals to give the patient clear and coherent information about their disease and treatment.
31.b. Health professionals must deliver information adapted to the level of comprehension of the individual patient.
31.c. The patient designates the individuals who should be informed about his/her medical care . »
« Understanding your illness and accepting the diagnosis, that is the beginning of healing ! »
ATTENTION: If there is any doubt, or if you are not satisfied and reassured by the information provided by a physician, it may be important to make an appointment and ask for the opinion of another physician or a specialist in your type of disorder. Having confidence in the physician who is treating you is essential. You should be satisfied in the ability of your physician to listen to you and be comfortable enough with him/her to be able to talk about all subjects, even those which are difficult, such as risks, drugs or suicide.
>> YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD : BE ACTIVE AND GET INVOLVED !...
In addition to information provided by your physician, do not hesitate to become well informed about your illness. The internet is an amazing source of information, but stay vigilant about confirming and verifying information by visiting different web sites.
« Getting informed about your illness is starting to become active in your own health »
ATTENTION : If you do not feel ready psychologically, not strong enough yet to read and sort out all the information available on different internet sites, we recommend that you ask someone you trust who is meticulous and careful to do it for you. You can also help yourself by obtaining complementary information from the web sites of patient associations or governmental agencies.
** Reader information : This section is mostly inspired of real-life experiences, and was written by the editorial staff of the Mood Institute, exclusively composed with patients - The members of the Medical and Scientific Committee are regularly asked to provide an advisory opinion - Last update
: 10/01/2011
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