Master Your Health: A Journal To Help You Navigate With Ease On Your Medical Journey

Do you have a medical illness or several? You may find it overwhelming, trying to keep up with tests, changes in medications, other doctors you are sent to see (referrals), next steps to remember. Perhaps you are lucky to have excellent health but you wonder what you should do to remain in that state. You may wish you had someone to guide and direct you. In some places, there may be professional nurse navigators who can help with this. The reality, though, is that most people do not have access to such navigators.

You may ask, "How can I help myself, or my friend or a family member? Are there any helpful tips or suggestions? How can I stay on top of things and make sure I am getting the most out of my journey? How do I make the best of each visit with my physician? How do I know what symptoms to look out for, and when to call my physician?"

I have been a physician since 2003, and I know that anyone can learn to be his or her own guide. Put simply, anyone can learn to navigate with ease on their medical journey.

We should all strive to, "take charge of our health, do all we can to prevent or delay health problems and if they occur, make sure we stay on top of the plan and get the most out of our health journey."

This journal is designed to guide the reader in mastering and keeping a record of their medical history and course through the year. Week to week, and month to month, the reader is prompted to pay attention and record health updates, changes in their medications, treatment plans and medical team members. There is ample space to use to record details from appointments, including questions and answers. Along the way, the reader is encouraged by tips and suggestions to help them better master their health and be a fierce self-advocate in health matters.

My hope is that this journal will enable the reader to master important aspects of their help, keep an accurate record all year round, and never again feel uncertain or forget important next steps. Ultimately, the reader will be well-versed and confident as an important partner on their medical journey.

Erica Rose Richards