Are You an Expert in Your Own Illness? Yale-New Haven Hospital

Right Choice Index

Page Contents

Benefits to better
health information

Trusted sources

Who needs?

Sources available
at Y-NHH

Site Contents

Patients & visitors

Medical professionals

Yale-New Haven
Children's Hospital

General information

Calendar

Online resource

Press information

Phone Numbers

Directory assistance
(203) 688-4242

Patient Information
(203) 688-4177

Adult emergency
(203) 688-2222

Children's emergency
(203) 688-3333

Admitting
(203) 688-2221

Children's admitting
(203) 688-3331

Psychiatric admitting
(203) 688-9907

Mailing address:

Yale-New Haven Hospital
20 York Street
New Haven, CT 06504

Are You An Expert In Your Own Illness?

The pace of innovation in health care is accelerating as new tests, drugs and treatments are developed each day. The challenge for consumers, physicians, nurses and hospitals is, first to stay on top of all the new information and, second, to incorporate this into advanced standards of care. If you have a continuing medical problem, receiving enough information, especially about new advances, can be a challenge.

What are the benefits to patients of better health information?

Greater involvement in medical decision making leading to better outcomes
Higher patient satisfaction
Reduction in patients' anxiety and fear and increase in peace of mind
Prepares consumer for physician/hospital experience
More confidence in ability to manage one's own care
Consumers can become experts in their illness

What is a trusted source of information?
Certain organizations, because of their missions and the nature of the services they provide, are more active in sharing information and advice to their communities and patients. These organizations, through their recruitment of scientists, expert physicians and nurses, are places where consumers can go to obtain the latest information. They put a patient's information interests ahead of government, insurance or managed care needs and are often sought out for unbiased advice and information.

Who needs the services of a trusted source of information?

Patients with chronic problems
Patients living with readily correctible conditions
Older patients who feel their problems arise from aging
Newly diagnosed patients who want to learn as much as possible about their illness
Consumers interested in preventing health problems

What sources of information are available at Yale-New Haven Hospital?

Call Center:
The coordinators at Yale New Haven's Call Center can provide you with information on over 1,100 health topics ranging from aging to diabetes and from women's health to cardiovascular disease. The Call Center can also help you find a family physician or a specialist and can provide information on a physician's background, such as medical school and length of time in practice—details that will help you make the best health care decisions possible. Call (888) 700-6543 or (203) 688-2000 for information or an appointment with a YNHH physician.

Yale-New Haven Hospital's Web site provides in-depth information on heart problems, cancer, children's diseases and women's health. A breastfeeding forum for new mothers, as well as general information, is available. You can also request appointments over the Internet.

Yale School of Medicine consumer library room: Located in the Yale School of Medicine, the Medical Library houses a collection of nearly 300 books written especially for consumers. This collection offers an opportunity to learn about a diagnostic test, research an illness or become familiar with treatment options. Patients and their families are welcome to use the collection and research a topic. For additional ../resource, consult the library web site, or call (203) 737-4065 for reference assistance.

HealthLINK newsletters on recent topics in the news regarding heart, cancer, pediatrics and women's health are produced monthly. YNHH expert physicians discuss the implications of new developments to help patients understand how to act on the information. You can sign up by going to www.ynhh.org or by calling (888) 700-6543.

Cancer Center Hotline: The Yale Cancer Center runs the New England office of the Cancer Information Service (CIS). The CIS provides accurate, up-to-date information on cancer causes, prevention, detection, treatment and rehabilitation to patients, families and the general public. CIS specialists offer information in understandable language about particular types of cancer and the availability of clinical trials. Call toll-free (800) 422-6237.

Nutrition Center: Provides nutrition counseling especially to individuals with ongoing medical problems. Call (203) 688-2422 for nutrition information, to make a nutrition counseling appointment. See our online Nutrition Advisor. There is also a Shoreline Nutrition Center in Guilford that can be reached at (203) 458-2875.

Advancing Care newsletter: A new monthly newsletter, Advancing Care, provides useful health information and makes it easier for people to know about and use Yale-New Haven Hospital's health services. It is designed to help you make healthy choices and informed medical decisions. Call (888) 700-6543 for a free subscription or check online advancing care.

Support Groups: Yale-New Haven Hospital offers numerous support groups to help meet the social and emotional needs of patients and their families. More than 50 different types of support groups, most based on a particular illness or issue such as cancer, chronic illness and parenting, are available. Call (203) 688-2195 to receive more information or check our list of groups online.

Call (203) 688-2000 or toll free (888) 700-6543 to speak with a health information coordinator or request an appointment. You can also get physician information or request an appointment on this web site.

Last revised: December 23, 2005 (mv)