Getting consumers more involved in their healthcare is a growing focus in today’s world and a new website has been launched to assist in this process.

The site, www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer, features tips for patients to become more involved in their health care, including: bring a list of questions to each medical appointment; take notes in the examination room; make sure you receive the results of medical tests; and, upon leaving the hospital, make sure you understand instructions regarding follow-up care and medications.

This site is being released as part of national Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 4-10, 2007). Medical mistakes occurring in hospitals account for an estimated 44,000 to 98,000 deaths each year or a minimum of 120 deaths per day, according to the Institute of Medicine. That means that these mistakes lead to more deaths per year than motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer or AIDS. Research shows that consumers who get more involved with their health care can greatly improve the safety of their care, but patients are generally unaware of what to do to help prevent medical mistakes. According to a recent study conducted by AHRQ and the Kaiser Family Foundation, 57 percent of Americans do not believe that preventable medical errors occur often.

The new “Questions Are the Answer: Get More Involved With Your Health Care” PSA campaign aims to encourage all patients and caregivers to become more active in their health care by asking questions.   In addition to the website, consumers are being shown new television, radio, print and Web advertising that directs them to call a toll-free number, (1-800-931-AHRQ), as well as visit the website.  Both these resources will allow them to obtain tips on how to help prevent medical mistakes and become a partner in their health care. The site also features an interactive “Question Builder” that allows consumers to generate a customized list of questions for their health care providers that they can bring to each medical appointment.

“The goal of this new campaign is to get patients more involved and to ultimately improve the safety of health care for all Americans,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt. “We want people to feel comfortable having a dialogue with their health care clinicians.”

AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., agrees.