Informed is Empowered
When you’ve been diagnosed with cancer it can feel like you’re learning a new language. Your health care team may use words you’ve never heard before, and you may suddenly feel like you need a medical degree to understand what’s going on with your health. On top of that, it can be overwhelming to navigate advice and information you may be getting online or from the people in your life.
If you feel this way, know that you’re not alone. Nearly 9 out of 10 adults struggle with health literacy. Health literacy is more than just reading – it’s about being able to make informed decisions about your health care and knowing how to follow directions correctly.
Our goal in Moffitt’s Patient Library is to make sure that you and your loved ones have access to trustworthy and easy-to-understand information so you can be confident to make decisions about your care. Our library resources are from reputable organizations like the National Institute of Health. You can trust that the information is accurate and up to date. The library has information in English and Spanish about different cancers, treatment, coping, nutrition and more. If we don’t have something in stock, we can also do an online search using reputable sources.
While talking with your care team is always best, doing a little research can help you think of questions to ask in your appointment. The Patient Library even has resources on how to play an active role in your care and make treatment decisions. We also have computers and can help you learn how to navigate your Patient Portal, which can be a helpful tool for viewing medical results and communicating with your health care provider.
The Patient Library has three physical locations: the Magnolia campus, the McKinley outpatient campus and the McKinley hospital. People who can’t visit us in person can always email us to request information online. Speaking of online, the Patient Library hosts virtual education classes like the “Meet the Experts” series where Moffitt experts explain different topics. Additionally, we also host a Patient and Family Orientation that goes over what to expect at Moffitt including how to find your way around and the support services available to you.
Come visit the Patient Library where our team members are happy to help you find the information you need to be empowered in your care.
This story was originally published in the PARTNERS newsletter. Visit Moffitt.org/PARTNERS for more stories and to learn more.