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Be a Smarter PatientUnderstand your diagnosis. Ask your doctor to give you a written statement explaining your condition, prognosis and treatment options. Or take your own notes and read them back to your doctor to make sure you've gotten the right information. Having written information can eliminate confusion down the line (and give you a "doctor-speak" decoder when you need one).

Check out your doctor. For less than $10, Health Grades (www.healthgrades.com) will provide background information about your physician, including education, certification and any record of malpractice or government action. And don't hesitate to ask your doctor about her qualifications, accreditations and experience if you're feeling unsure.

Keep your ear to the ground. With support groups and online message boards dedicated to almost every medical condition, it's easier than ever to find out what new treatments and medications people are buzzing about. While this information probably shouldn't be the basis for all your medical decisions, it can make you aware of issues you should bring up with your doctor.

Ask questions. If you're starting a new treatment or going in for surgery, understand what to expect during the procedure and in the future. If it helps, keep a list of questions as they come up and go over them with your doctor a few days before you take the big step.

Keep a file. It's the ultimate tool in managing your own care. By keeping a record of your pain, treatments and emotions, as well as concerns you want to remember and questions you want to ask your doctor, you can walk into your doctor's appointments completely prepared.

Get educated. Being a smarter patient means taking control of your health, and there are books, brochures and a wealth of information online that can help you do just that. If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the possibilities, your local Arthritis Foundation chapter is a great place to start -- not only do they offer brochures specifically written for people with arthritis, they also feature top arthritis experts as speakers at their events, and can put you in touch with other arthritis "veterans."

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