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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 22 2006, 4:09 PM EST (current) | wetpaint | 3 words added, 3 words deleted |
| Feb 16 2006, 3:42 PM EST | wetpaint |
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Key: Additions Deletions
There is more to building a healthcare team than finding the right doctor. It's equally important to take the same care in searching out the right facility in which to receive care.
You can have the best doctor out there, but if the hospital they practice at doesn't have the necessary equipment, has a severe nurse's shortage or doesn't accept your insurance, your treatment is going to be compromised.
Important considerations
Start the process by thinking about what you need and what you want. Here are a few considerations:
Visit your top choices
After you've narrowed the list down to your top choices, visit each in person if possible. Visiting will give you a first-hand glimpse for how the hospital operates. Make sure you're comfortable with the facility's set up, its atmosphere and its staff.
Ask quesions! Find out if the facility has experience and success in treating your specific type of cancer. Find out what your rights and responsibilities will be at this facility. This information should be explained to you up front. Any facility that doesn't make this information readily available isn't the right facility for you.
See also
You can have the best doctor out there, but if the hospital they practice at doesn't have the necessary equipment, has a severe nurse's shortage or doesn't accept your insurance, your treatment is going to be compromised.
Important considerations
Start the process by thinking about what you need and what you want. Here are a few considerations:
Facility typetype:
Would you prefer a community hospital or a larger, specialized cancer center? The general thinking is that smaller hospitals feel more comfortable, but specialized centers -- which often are affiliated with a medical school -- may have access to the newest treatment options and clinical trials.
Specialized centers may also offer more services, such as social workers, financial counselors, support groups and nutritionists who can help you plan a healthy diet.
Facility proximityproximity:
Is the facility convenient to your home? Don’t go travelling thousands of miles away to a nationally or globally known cancer facility if you can get the same quality care in your own backyard.
Facility reputationreputation:
As with choosing a doctor, a big part of the reason for building a support network is to leverage it for advice. Ask the various members of your support network what they think.
- wikiCancer: Check to see if others from the wikiCancer community have posted feedback on the hospital your considering in the feedback on doctors and facilities section.
- Friends in the know: Ask the people in your support network about their expereinces with the facilities in your area.
- Other online resources: There are a host of other online cancer resources that can help you research how a facility rates.
Visit your top choices
After you've narrowed the list down to your top choices, visit each in person if possible. Visiting will give you a first-hand glimpse for how the hospital operates. Make sure you're comfortable with the facility's set up, its atmosphere and its staff.
Ask quesions! Find out if the facility has experience and success in treating your specific type of cancer. Find out what your rights and responsibilities will be at this facility. This information should be explained to you up front. Any facility that doesn't make this information readily available isn't the right facility for you.
See also
