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Next Steps After a Diagnosis

Summary & Participants

Being diagnosed with a disease or serious condition can come as a shock. Hear what experts have to say about coming to grips with whatever ails you.

Medically Reviewed On: July 11, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: When a person receives a diagnosis of a serious disease or condition, he or she can experience a wide range of emotions. These include fear, anger, confusion, and denial. Very often, strong feelings revolve around a change in self-image.

CAROLYN M. CLANCY, MD: Some of the emotions that people can experience, would include feeling vulnerable for the first time in a new way that they hadn't felt before. They felt completely healthy and in charge, and now they feel like that's wrong. They have to alter their self-image. One set of emotions relates to feeling a loss of control. Fear of the unknown, what this is going to mean for an individual, for their families and so forth, "Will I be able to work? Is this going to change what I like to do? Am I going to be limited in my activities?" These are all very common emotions.

And also, just complete confusion, "What am I hearing here? Maybe this isn't right. I don't feel any differently, physically, so how could I have this new diagnosis."

ANNOUNCER: So experts say: Take the time you need. In fact, that's step one following diagnosis, according to the US government's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

There's usually time. Doctors say there are very few situations where a medical treatment needs to start immediately.

ROBERT MUSCALUS, D.O.: By taking additional time to explore options, to get additional information, patients become empowered and feel more in control of their own healthcare, by being able to ask questions, to do research, to get additional opinions, to start to lay out a strategy and a framework for their future care.

ANNOUNCER: Taking time allows for step two following diagnosis, which is to get the support you need.

CAROLYN M. CLANCY, MD: When receiving a new diagnosis, it's incredibly important to engage members of your family or friends, people who can work with you.

Having another person with you when you make visits, when you get tests done, means that there's someone who's at a little more of an emotional distance who can ask questions that you might have overlooked. It's very helpful to have a partner, an advocate with you throughout this process.

ANNOUNCER: A partner in the process can also take notes, and help review information following a visit with a doctor. And no one should feel isolated or alone, for there are plenty of places to turn for help.

CAROLYN M. CLANCY, MD: People who live alone or don't have immediate family or immediate family who could be helpful or friends or co-workers can often reach out through other community resources.

A really good place to start is the physician's office, because either the physician, nurse, or other office personnel will often know about resources in the community who can be helpful.

ANNOUNCER: Step three after diagnosis is to talk with your doctor and maintain a good, two-way flow of information.

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