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JULY 2001- Contents

Indo-Pak Focus
50Year Photo Retrospective

The 'People' Effort

Agra Summit- the happier moments

Begum Sehba Musharraf's time in India

Cuisine Diplomacy

Open Letter to the General and the PM

Indo-Pak Reconciliation School

People
Kiran Bedi's screen debut 

Fashion & Lifestyle
'By the Young, for the Young' 

Fashion Graduates - India

Pakistan School of Fashion Design

Heritage
Adopting Historic sites

Art
Benoy Behl- documenting
India's ancient art

Health
Preventive Medicine - How it
helps

Films
Aamir Khan - an interview

Music
Adnan Sami

'United for Gujarat' - the first South Asian concert'

Travel & Adventure
Dr. Kamal Vilku -India's first lady in Antarctica

Books
Speaking Stones - Heritage
Sites in India

Editor's Note

the craft shop

the print gallery

the-south-asian.com                               July  2001

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Talking with Your Doctor

By 

Dorothy Spurgiasz, CNS

Bellevue Hospital Center, Patients Family Education

Understanding what the doctor tells you is very important. Many people are reluctant to speak up when they don't understand what the doctor says. Medical words can be hard to understand. Your doctor may not know you feel confused, especially if you are a quiet and a good listener. It is OK to ask the doctor to re-explain what he or she is saying; ask the doctor to use 'plain English'. Ask questions until you DO understand. As you and your doctor get to know each other, communicating should get easier.

People, especially in the west, are beginning to take an increasingly active role in their personal health care. In fact your doctor and health care team can work together with you to help you have the best possible health. Before you go to your health care appointments, think about your overall health and be ready to talk about it to your health care providers. Tell them how you are feeling. Tell them about any changes in your health you may have noticed. Explain what worries or bothers you the most. Then be prepared to answer questions about your health and ask your own questions!

Here are some general questions you may want to ask when you see your doctor:

· What is my problem (my diagnosis)?

· What caused this condition?

· Can my condition be treated?

· How will this condition affect me now and in the future?

· What signs and symptoms should I watch for and tell you about?

About Tests

· What kinds of tests do I need?

· Do I have to do anything special to get ready for these tests?

· Do these tests have any risks or side effects?

· When will I find out the results?

· Will I need any more tests after these tests are done?

About Treatment

· What is the treatment for my problem?

· How long will this treatment last?

· What are the benefits of this treatment—how will it help?

· What are the risks and side effects?

· What happens if I don’t take this treatment--are there any other treatments for this condition?

· Are there foods, drugs, or things I should avoid doing while I'm on this treatment?

· If medication is prescribed: how should I take the medicine, and what should I do if I have a problem or miss a dose?

· When will I feel better?

· How will I get in touch with you if I have a problem or in an emergency?