My Health Information

It can be difficult to face a new health diagnosis or experience new symptoms with an existing chronic condition. Take some time to reflect on your learning, talk to people you trust, and/or seek counselling to help you understand.

Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options

• Learn the name of your health condition, its causes, symptoms, possible complications, and how it might affect your daily life.
• Understand the key signs to watch for and record your symptoms in your Mywell Health – Health Profile notes, health calendar, or in the notes app on your phone.
• Learn ways to manage and reduce symptoms, as well as side effects from medications and treatments.
• Explore your treatment options (such as medications, therapies, surgeries, or other treatments) and ask about the criteria, risks, benefits, and long-term effects of each.
• Ask about the possible progression of your condition and/or prognosis, keeping in mind that your response to your illness may be different from others.

Gathering Your Health Information

• Ask your physician or specialist for copies of test results and reports (in print or by email).
• Learn how to collect your personal health information from Health-Gateway BC , a digital program funded by the Government of BC.
• Sign up for My Care-Compass to see your lab results.
• Explore research-based sites for disease and treatment information such as Healthlink BC.
• Ask your pharmacist for a print-out of your past and present medications or print off your medication history from Health Gateway BC.
• Keep and review the pharmacy handouts you are given. Save and/or scan them into your print or digital Mywell Health files.

Recording Your Health Information

• Get a copy of the test or imaging results (such as Xray, Ultrasound, CT Scan, or MRI). Record your physician’s or specialist’s explanation of the results.
• Ensure that you ask your health care professionals to explain all the information you may not understand.
• Learn about your electronic health record, including its benefits and limitations. Consider asking your physician or nurse practitioner to review the key points of your electronic health record with you to ensure accuracy.
• Scan any documents you do collect into your digital Mywell Health files and/or print them for your Mywell Health binder.

Checking the Accuracy of Your Health Information

• Ask your physician and other health care professionals for clarification of information you have collected. Get a second opinion if needed.
• Use trusted sources like government health or well-known medical organizations’ sites. Check if the information is from reliable, peer-reviewed medical journals.
• Try to avoid sources that promote products or services without evidence or valid clinical studies.

It is important to gather all your health information in one place. In most cases, you are the only person who knows your complete health journey. Your health journey includes your current diagnosis, symptoms, side effects, treatments, hospitalizations, surgeries, allergies and sensitivities, sexual health, emotional health, family health history and more. As you  gather your information, record it in your Health Profile and save it to your Mywell Health print and/or digital files.

Completing Your Own Health Profile

Mywell Health has created a fillable PDF for you to complete your own Health Profile. Everyone should have their own health profile that is up-to-date and accessible in print or digitally.

1. Download the Health Profile fillable PDF tool below.
2. Open the document and insert your name and date. Fill in the fields as you are able. Save and update as you learn and collect your information.
3. Gather notes and reports on your health conditions, mental illness, sexual health, emotional health concerns, surgical history, hospitalizations, dental health, infectious diseases, allergies, vaccination record, and family health history.
4. Complete the Medication List in your health profile or as a separate tool. Be sure to include any over the counter drugs (OTC), vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
5. Record your medication history such as medications you have taken in the past, any side effects and why you are no longer taking them.
6. Record all symptoms, and any side effects to treatment options or medications.
7. Record your alcohol use, recreational drug use, or tobacco use and explore the risks of using these substances while taking your medications and supplements.
8. Record your emergency contacts, if you are an organ donor, or if you wear a medic alert. Also make note if you have a Do Not Resuscitate or No CPR order (DNR) or a Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) form – signed and dated. 

Understanding your health condition helps you advocate for yourself and take an active role in your care. It is important that you see yourself as a partner in your health care and the health care system.

Gaining Self-Advocacy & Decision-Making Skills

• Learn about self-advocacy in the resource kit.
• Use the information in the Mywell Health activities and resource kit to learn how to make informed decisions.
• Be assured that this is your personal health journey and you have the legal right to ask questions.
• Learn about your patient rights as well as your responsibilities.
• Ask questions to clarify what you do not understand, including treatment options, side effects, and long-term concerns.
• Discuss strategies with your health professionals on ways to manage and reduce your symptoms and side effects from medications and treatments.
• Write down your questions and practice asking them with a trusted friend to build your confidence.
• Express your decisions for medications, surgery, treatment options, therapies, organ donation, blood transfusions, and more.
• Choose a health advocate who can speak on your behalf if you have difficulty communicating.
• Learn how the health care system works in your community such as who to call, email, or visit for different concerns.
• Know how to use emergency services properly.

Make the most of your health care visits by actively participating. Ask questions, share symptoms and concerns, and record the information provided to you. This may help you make informed decisions about your treatment options and overall health.

Participating in Your Health Care Visit

• Know that most visits are scheduled for 10 minutes to address 1-2 questions. You may be able to book a longer appointment if you have complex health issues.
• Learn the roles of different professionals (such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or specialist) and what care and advice they can and cannot provide.
• Prepare for your health care visits by making a list of your symptoms and when they started, and any concerns or questions.
• Review medications, test results, or any referrals suggested.
• Request clear explanations of medical terms, tests, results, medications, and treatments.
• Be confident in sharing with professionals how you want to be treated, such as how you want to be spoken to and the time you need to make informed decisions.
• Ensure all your questions are answered before you leave.

Recording the Visit Information & Plans

• Takes notes during the health care visit or have someone do that for you. Use a page from your Mywell Health binder, a ‘notes’ page in your digital planner, or the notes app on your phone.
• Record the date of the appointment, any new symptoms or problems, your questions, the health professionals’ answers, and the treatment plans they recommended.
• Ask for clear and/or written explanations to your questions. Ask for a print copy of the information discussed or have them email you a copy.

Your Health Care Visit Checklist – What to Bring?

1. Personal/ provincial health number on your Driver’s license or BC Services card.
2. Updated health profile.
3. Updated medication list (including OTC, herbs, supplements, and vitamins).
4. List of questions and goals for the visit.
5. Your health advocate to take notes, record instructions, and offer support.

Consider using a health calendar as one of your organizational tools for tracking your symptoms, side effects or pain, as well as your postive health changes and goals.

Starting & Keeping a Health Calendar

• Keep a health calendar to record your health care appointments, medication or dosage changes, changes in your health (new symptoms, pain, or improvements following medications or treatments), vaccinations, and annual screening tests.
• Include your health goals and achievements such as activity level, nutrition, emotional health, and sleep.
• Create your health calendar in print, digitally, or on your phone. Keep a health calendar in print in your kitchen if you have care partners and caregivers involved in your care.
• Make a note if your appointments are in person, by phone, or on a computer screen with video and audio.
• Keep track of your annual screening tests like mammogram, pelvic, testicular, or prostate exams, hearing, or vision.
• Record your test dates, follow-up appointments or phone calls, and the results.
• Keep a record of your new or chronic pain and other symptoms. Include when it started, description and location of the pain, time of day, any connection to food or activities, and  impact on your sleep. A good description can help your health care team find the source and plan treatment.
• Make note of any big changes in your activity level, diet, weight, any sleep problems, or increased stress levels to help make connections between your daily life and changes in your health.
• Share your online calendar with your health advocate, as needed.
• Understand that a health calendar and your health profile combined can provide information about your health journey, what might be a problem or a concern and what has been beneficial in supporting your well-being.