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Active participation improves medical care dramatically.
By choosing your doctor carefully, you will be assured of her competence, philosophy, ability to communicate well, and affiliation with an excellent hospital. You will establish a relationship based on shared history and respect and, over time, will feel comfortable with both your doctor and your care. Ideally, your doctor will help you devise a long-range health plan to prevent illness to the extent possible. When you are ill, you will have a doctor who will coordinate all referrals, tests, and medications to ensure that you get the care you need, but no more. Being an involved partner in your medical care has far-reaching consequences.