Tag: health care

How Shared Decision-Making Can Lead to Better Healthcare



It may seem strange now, but there was a time when patients weren’t always included in their healthcare decisions. “Doctor knows best” was the vibe — and the practice. Would you believe that it used to be routine for patients to not be told what their diagnosis was? Healthcare providers (HCPs) or family members often made treatment decisions without telling or even asking the patient.

This still happens unfortunately but, thankfully, it’s no longer the norm.

Shared decision-making is a process where HCPs and patients work together to make healthcare decisions. HCPs might provide research and data about medications or procedures, and patients may provide their priorities and goals. The two parties work together to arrive at a decision about how to proceed.

Shared decision-making in healthcare shows respect for patients’ needs and values. And it has other benefits as well. Involving patients in their healthcare decisions can help people feel in control, make it easier and more likely that they’ll follow the plan for their treatment, and lessen the anxiety that often goes along with needing medical care.

Even though there are now laws in place to require involving patients more, it can still be hard for patients to make their preferences known. Many patients — especially women and people in traditionally marginalized communities — may worry about being labeled as difficult if they speak up or ask too many questions. Some people fear offending their HCP if they express their opinions. And many people feel unprepared or unqualified to have a say in their treatment options. HCPs are often rushed and may not always feel they can make time to share information and inlcude the patient. Not taking that time may be easier and faster for the HCP, but it can leave the person out of the loop and rob them of their power.

Who is shared decision-making for?

The short answer is that shared decision-making is for everyone. There are emergency situations where HCPs have to act without consulting the patient. Your life may depend on their quick action and expertise, and you may literally be unable to weigh in. In those cases, you probably don’t mind giving up your share of the decision-making process.

But in many other cases, even some urgent situations, patients should have a voice in their care. For example, if you’re managing a chronic condition or you get a serious diagnosis, you probably have options for which treatment you get. If surgery could help you, but also introduces risks, you should be part of the decision to move forward or not.

Even when there is a clear standard treatment and there isn’t as much need for discussion, people have personal preferences and unique priorities. How much risk does a person want to take for a chance at getting better? Are they willing to tolerate side effects? Are there other considerations in their life that may change the equation for them? Some people may choose physical therapy for a knee injury, while others may choose surgery. A woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) may choose a therapy that is most effective for her but has a higher risk of side effects. Someone else may be more concerned about the side effects and might make a different treatment decision. Whenever possible, HCPs should talk to you to make sure your treatment reflects your wishes and preferences.

How to use shared decision-making to get better healthcare

If your HCP engages in shared decision-making with you, be ready to use your voice. And, if your HCP doesn’t approach you to share in decision-making, you can take the first step. You can even say, “I want to make sure I fully understand my options before we move forward.” That will signal to your HCP that you are an engaged patient, and they need to partner with you in your healthcare decision.

Here are some tips for engaging in shared decision-making to get the best care:

  • Bring a list of questions with you so you can be sure you cover everything you’d like to go over during the visit.
  • Ask about the risks, pros and cons of each treatment option.
  • Ask what options other people tend to choose and why.
  • Ask how treatment options might affect the things that are important to you. For example, if you want to keep up an active lifestyle or want to get pregnant, make sure your HCP knows and explains how any treatment would affect those aspects of your life.
  • Find out what your HCP recommends. You can trust your HCP and still want to feel like you’re making a fully informed decision for yourself.
  • Ask what is likely to happen if you don’t move forward with their recommendation.
  • Research your condition and treatment options using credible sources so you are well-informed going into the conversation.

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Plain Language Summaries Can Give You the Power



When doctors talk to each other about scientific research and medical discoveries, it can sound like they’re speaking another language. As a patient, you may think, “This is all Greek to me!” And it might as well be.

When scientists publish their research findings, they’re not writing for you and me. They’re writing for each other. They share a secret language, usually open only to those who have advanced science education or extensive experience conducting research.

The average healthcare consumer is not part of that club. That may be fine when you’re healthy. You can pick up the latest medical news when your favorite TV station or mainstream news sources covers it.

But if you have a complicated medical condition or you’re trying to get a diagnosis, you might need the details. The dense language used in scientific studies can make it impossible to understand the research. That can be more than simply an inconvenience. It can keep you in the dark about your own condition or treatment options.

Plain language summaries (PLS) are reports that translate complex data and science jargon into everyday English, in terms anyone can understand.

In the spirit of making complex ideas easy to digest, here’s what you should know about plain language summaries.

What is a plain language summary?

A plain language summary (PLS) is a concise, easy-to-understand summary of a scientific article or study, which will typically be published in scientific or medical journals.

PLS turn complex information into easy-to-read content, using terms non-experts can grasp. It’s like having someone who’s really good at explaining things help you make sense of complex science.

Why do we need plain language summaries?

Scientific research studies are usually peer-reviewed, which means other experts in the specific field of research review the study and decide whether it’s high quality and worthy of being published. It’s a hurdle scientists have to get over before they can publish their work. And that helps explain why these studies are so hard to understand. They’re not written to be clear to an average person. They’re aimed at an audience of other expert scientists.

You may have thought you’d left science behind when you finished school. You might not have believed it when your science teacher tried to convince you that you’d use their lessons in real life someday.

But maybe you or a loved one are experiencing a serious medical condition, or you want to understand a new vaccine. Maybe you have symptoms that your doctor can’t explain, and you wish you could get to the bottom of it. Now suddenly, you might wish you’d paid more attention in science class. At least you might admit that your science teacher may have been right that understanding science can be useful in daily life.

PLS are the bridge between the complex, detailed science behind medical research and discoveries and the rest of us — who may not have loved science class or retained much from it. PLS give non-scientists the power to understand research that may be directly relevant to their health.

Without plain language summaries, patients are at the mercy of their doctors and other experts. If you are someone who likes to understand what’s going on or who wants to do some of your own research, PLS are a gift. They give you access to information that otherwise only experts might understand, like a decoder ring or a foreign-language translator.

With the rise of AI, it’s now easy to get summaries of complex information in an instant. But there’s a catch: not all AI output is trustworthy. Some AI tools make things up. They might reference sources that don’t exist or aren’t applicable. They might look and sound convincing, but you should beware of putting too much trust into these summaries just yet. They will no doubt keep getting better, but in the meantime, PLS are created by trusted, expert sources and can be more reliable summaries of the research.

Who are plain language summaries for?

PLS are for everyone: patients and regular healthcare consumers as well as healthcare providers (HCPs). HCPs may have specialized training and more knowledge about medical topics than regular people but they are often busy and may appreciate a quick summary, especially if it’s in an area outside of their regular practice area.

As patients, we may never know as much as our HCPs — and some of us don’t want to know as much as they do. It helps to be able to trust our HCPs’ expertise. But PLS help put patients on a more even playing field with their HCPs. They allow patients to ask good questions and make truly informed decisions about our own care.

How to find and read a plain language summary

Not all studies have a companion PLS, and PLS can be tricky to find because there’s no standard for where and when to publish them. More and more, though, PLS are seen as a way to help share scientific findings with the public. The Cochrane Collaboration, a global network of health researchers and professionals, publishes reviews of medical research that assess the effectiveness of different interventions, based on published studies. It now publishes a PLS alongside each review. You might also find PLS on the website of the journal that published the study. One study of PLS found that PLS might be within the article, alongside the article in a link or separate tab on a website, or in separate channels such as social media platforms or a separate website.

This educational resource was created with support from Sumitomo Pharma, a HealthyWomen Corporate Advisory Council member.



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Coping with the Cost of Cancer Treatment



Finances are not always the first thing people think of when they get diagnosed with cancer. Top questions may be, What’s the prognosis? What are the treatment options? And who are the best specialists?

But more and more, you also have to grapple with the cost of cancer alongside the physical and emotional aspects of cancer. Those costs can truly add up, often catching people by surprise.

Different types of cancer-related costs

Unfortunately, cancer costs come in many forms.

If you have health insurance, you might expect it to cover all your cancer care costs — and it should cover a lot of them. Direct medical costs include tests, medications, procedures, surgeries and some medical supplies. Insurance is likely to cover these costs if they’re considered “medically necessary.” In other words, if your treatment is in line with standard guidelines for your particular cancer and your healthcare providers (HCPs) believe you need it, it’s more likely your insurance will pay for it.

Yet even if your insurance covers direct medical costs, you may have to get their approval in advance (called “prior authorization”). Getting that approval can be its own headache. If your treatment plan is less common or you want to see an HCP who isn’t in your insurance network, you may not get approval.

Beyond the direct medical costs of your cancer treatment, you may come across many other types of expenses. For example, special foods or nutrition supplements may be important, but insurance doesn’t typically pay for them. Or, while medical care may be covered, home health may not be.

If you have to travel to get your care, across town or far away, you need to factor those costs in, too. Whether you have to pay for parking at a downtown hospital or travel to get specialized care away from home, travel costs can be challenging.

If you’re living with cancer, you may need extra help caring for your children, your parents or your pets. You may need more help in your home or doing errands that you may not be able to do yourself for a time. Caregiver costs can be substantial, and for many, may be out of reach.

Cancer costs may be even harder to manage thanks to “opportunity costs,” the missed opportunities to earn money. If you’re in treatment, you may not be able to work or you may have to scale back your hours. Lost wages or the loss of job-based health benefits can turn financial strain into a crisis. In a 2022 Cost of Cancer study conducted by HealthyWomen and CancerCare, nearly half of people in active treatment experienced some financial setback, and 6% lost their job altogether.

Coping with the stress of cancer-related financial challenges

The first step in managing the very real stress of cancer-related costs is to recognize that you are not alone. HealthyWomen’s Cost of Cancer report showed that paying for cancer costs was stressful for 6 out of 10 people surveyed. Nearly 1 of 2 patients with cancer reported feeling stress, worry and a sense of being overwhelmed because of the direct and indirect costs of cancer care.

It’s also important to ask for help — or allow people to help when they offer. The people in your life very likely want to help, but they may need you to tell them what would be most helpful. Perhaps a neighbor can run errands for you, or a close friend can help you with household chores. These gestures can spare you the cost of hiring someone and give you the comfort of knowing you’re not alone.

The emotional strain of a cancer diagnosis is real. The financial parts of cancer only add to those challenges. If you feel anxious, depressed or generally overwhelmed, seeking therapy or other mental health care may also help.

Easing cancer-related financial burdens

Without health insurance, the direct costs of cancer can be crushing. But if you are uninsured, there are ways to get coverage.

If you don’t have health insurance from your job, is there someone in your household who may be able to add you to their coverage? If not, visit the federal Marketplace (Healthcare.gov) or the Marketplace in your state. If you’ve lost your benefits recently, you may be able to sign up even if it’s not during open enrollment. If you have low or no income, you may qualify for generous subsidies.

Depending on your income and the rules in your state, you may qualify for Medicaid, the state-operated health insurance for people with very low incomes. Similarly, depending on your age and condition, you may be able to sign up for Medicare. These programs offer good coverage and a lot of consumer protections, often for free or with very low costs.

With or without insurance, if you’re struggling to pay for medical care, you may qualify for financial assistance from your hospital or clinic. Hospital financial counselors can often help you navigate the hospital’s financial aid process, which may include a formal application. If your application is denied, you may be able to appeal. Medical facilities will also usually set up a payment plan that lets you pay small amounts over time, sometimes without interest. Be honest about what you can comfortably afford.

If you can’t get financial relief from the hospital or medical center itself, the financial counselor may still be able to help. They might help you get support from local community or religious organizations, or from drug maker co-payment relief programs. Some nonprofits will also help you advocate for yourself or negotiate bills on your behalf.

Finally, many people turn to crowdfunding campaigns to raise the money they need. Whether you launch a formal campaign or seek financial help informally, there’s no denying the power of your community to help you cope with the emotional and financial challenges of cancer.

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Lidiar con el costo del tratamiento contra el cáncer



Las finanzas no siempre son lo primero en lo que piensan las personas cuando reciben un diagnóstico de cáncer. Las preguntas principales podrían incluir, ¿cuál es la prognosis? ¿Cuáles son las opciones de tratamiento? Y ¿quiénes son los mejores especialistas?

Pero cada vez más, también deben considerarse los costos del cáncer además de sus aspectos físicos y emocionales. Esos costos pueden sumar montos importantes y frecuentemente las cuentas suelen sorprender a los pacientes.

Varios tipos de costos relacionados con el cáncer

Desafortunadamente, los costos del cáncer son de varios tipos.

Si tienes un seguro médico, podría esperarse que cubra todos tus costos relacionados con el cáncer, y muchos de ellos deberían estar cubiertos. Los costos médicos directos incluyen pruebas, medicamentos, procedimientos, cirugías y algunos suministros médicos. El seguro médico probablemente cubre estos costos si se considera que son “necesarios desde el punto de vista médico”. Es decir, si tu tratamiento concuerda con las pautas estándar de tu cáncer específico y tus proveedores de atención médica (HCP, por sus siglas en inglés) creen que los necesitas, es más posible que tu seguro los pague.

Sin embargo, incluso si tu seguro cubre los costos médicos directos, puede que tengas que obtener su aprobación de antemano (denominada “autorización previa”). Obtener esa aprobación puede ser un dolor de cabeza. Si tu plan de tratamiento es menos común o si deseas mantener consultas con un proveedor de atención médica que no es miembro de la red de tu seguro, es probable que no obtengas la aprobación.

Aparte de los costos médicos directos de tu tratamiento contra el cáncer, podrías tener muchos otros tipos de gastos. Por ejemplo, alimentos o suplementos nutricionales especiales podrían ser importantes, pero los seguros comúnmente no los cubren. O, aunque la atención médica esté cubierta, servicios médicos proporcionados en el hogar podrían no estarlo.

Si debes viajar para obtener tu atención médica, al otro lado de la ciudad o a una gran distancia, también debes considerar estos costos. Ya sea que debas pagar por el parqueadero de un hospital en el centro de la ciudad o que tengas que viajar para obtener atención especializada lejos de tu hogar, los costos de viajes pueden ser un desafío.

Si vives con cáncer, podrías necesitar ayuda adicional para el cuidado de tus hijos, de tus padres o de tus mascotas. Podrías necesitar más ayuda en tu hogar o con mandados que tú no podrías hacer durante algún tiempo. Los costos de cuidadores podrían ser considerables y, para muchos, impagables.

Los costos del cáncer podrían ser incluso más difíciles de manejar debido a los “costos de oportunidad”, es decir, las oportunidades que se pierden para ganar dinero. Si estás teniendo un tratamiento, es posible que no puedas trabajar o que tengas que recortar tus horas laborales. La pérdida de salarios o de beneficios médicos de tu trabajo podría transformar una dificultad financiera en una crisis. En un estudio del costo del cáncer de 2022 realizado por HealthyWomen y CancerCare, casi la mitad de personas que recibían tratamiento activamente experimentaron algún tipo de pérdida financiera y el 6% incluso perdieron sus trabajos.

Lidiar con el estrés de las dificultades financieras relacionadas con el cáncer

El primer paso para manejar el estrés muy real de los costos relacionados con el cáncer es reconocer que no estás sola. El informe de los costos del cáncer de HealthyWomen mostró que pagar por los costos del cáncer era estresante para 6 de cada 10 personas encuestadas. Casi 1 de cada 2 pacientes con cáncer reportó sentir estrés, preocupación y presión debido a los costos directos e indirectos de la atención contra el cáncer.

También es importante pedir ayuda o permitir que personas ayuden cuando ofrecen hacerlo. Las personas en tu vida muy posiblemente desean ayudar, pero es posible que ellos necesiten que les digas que sería lo más útil para ti. Tal vez un vecino pueda encargarse de mandados o un amigo cercano podría ayudarte con quehaceres del hogar. Estos gestos podrían ahorrarte el costo de contratar a alguien y podrían darte una sensación de seguridad al saber que no estás sola.

El desgaste emocional de un diagnóstico de cáncer es real. Los aspectos financieros del cáncer solo dificultan más esos desafíos. Si te sientes angustiada, deprimida o generalmente abrumada, obtener terapia u otro tipo de atención de la salud mental también podría ser útil.

Mitigar las cargas financieras relacionadas con el cáncer

Sin un seguro médico, los costos directos del cáncer pueden ser devastadores. Pero si no tienes un seguro médico, hay formas en las que puedes obtener cobertura.

Si no tienes un seguro médico de tu trabajo, ¿hay alguien en tu hogar que pueda agregarte a su cobertura? Si no es así, visita el mercado virtual federal de seguros médicos(Healthcare.gov) o el de tu estado. Si perdiste tus beneficios recientemente, podrías inscribirte incluso si no es durante el período de inscripciones abiertas. Si tus ingresos son bajos o inexistentes, podrías cumplir con los requisitos para subsidios generosos.

Dependiendo de tus ingresos y de las regulaciones de tu estado, podrías cumplir con los requisitos de Medicaid, el seguro médico que maneja tu estado para personas con muy pocos ingresos. Asimismo, dependiendo de tu edad y de tu condición, podrías inscribirte en el programa de Medicare. Estos programas ofrecen buenas coberturas y muchas protecciones para los consumidores, frecuentemente gratis o a costos muy bajos.

Con o sin seguro, si tienes dificultades para pagar por atención médica, podrías cumplir con los requisitos para recibir asistencia financiera de tu hospital o clínica. Asesores financieros del hospital frecuentemente pueden orientarte en el proceso de asistencia financiera del hospital, la cual podría incluir una solicitud formal. Si rechazan tu solicitud, es posible que puedas apelar dicha decisión. Las intervenciones médicas usualmente también establecerán un plan de pagos que te permita pagar montos pequeños cada cierto tiempo, a veces sin intereses. Sé honesta acerca de lo que puedes pagar en forma cómoda.

Si no puedes obtener asistencia financiera del hospital o del centro médico, es posible que el asesor financiero pueda proporcionar otro tipo de asistencia. Podría ayudarte a que recibas apoyo de alguna comunidad local o de organizaciones religiosas, o incluso, de programas de asistencia de copagos del fabricante del medicamento. Algunas organizaciones sin fines de lucro también te ayudarán a defender tus derechos o a negociar cuentas por ti.

Finalmente, muchas personas recurren a campañas de financiamiento colectivo para recaudar el dinero que necesitan. Ya sea que simplemente sea una campaña formal o que trates de obtener asistencia financiera en forma informal, no se puede negar el poder de tu comunidad para ayudarte a lidiar con las dificultades emocionales y financieras relacionadas con el cáncer.

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What Are Biosimilars? – HealthyWomen



Slide 1

Biosimilars 101

Biosimilars work just as well as the drugs they’re modeled after — and they’re often more affordable. This quick guide will help you understand whether biosimilars could be an option for you.

Slide 2

What are biosimilars?

Biosimilars are copies of a type of drug called biologics . Biologics are drugs made from a natural source, such as plant or human cells. Biologics and biosimilars are used to treat a variety of health problems, including:

Slide 3

Biosimilars are safe and effective

Biosimilars are nearly identical to biologics, working in the same way to treat many of the same health problems. They are safe, effective and FDA-approved.

Slide 4

Lower production costs = cheaper drugs

Because they’re much cheaper to produce, biosimilars are more affordable than biologics — which are among the most expensive medications in the world. Biologics used to treat RA, for example, can cost $30,000 a year .

Slide 5

Picking possible candidates

Companies decide to create biosimilars based on factors such as how much they will cost and whether they have a good chance of working the same way as a biologic.

Slide 6

Meeting FDA standards

Once they’ve decided to create a biosimilar, a company analyzes and compares data to develop a drug that meets the FDA’s high standards. The biosimilar is tested many times to prove it works in the exact same way as the original biologic.

Slide 7

Availability of biosimilars

Currently, there are 44 biosimilars approved by the FDA for use in the United States.

These include 10 biosimilars modeled after a dalimumab (Humira), a medicine used to treat autoimmune issues.

Slide 8

Roadblocks to biosimilars

Although demand for biosimilars is growing in the U.S., they’re still not as widely used here as they are in other countries.

This may be because some biologic manufacturers have tried to block their development, and because some insurance companies aren’t willing to cover them.

Slide 9

Helping people access treatment

Biosimilars are important to our healthcare system because they provide a more affordable option for patients who might not otherwise be able to access treatment.

Biosimilars are 30% cheaper on average than their biologic counterparts.

Slide 10

Are biosimilars right for you?

If you are currently using a biologic, ask your healthcare provider about biosimilars. It’s possible there is an equally safe and effective option available to you, at a lower cost.

This educational resource was created with support from Amgen, a HealthyWomen Corporate Advisory Council member.



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