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Wise Health Consumer
Learn about being a wise health consumer

Everyone has to make health decisions at some time or another. Being a wise health consumer can help you ask the right questions at your doctor appointments or know when you need to go to the emergency room. It can help you form a health and wellness plan that fits your personal values by working with your doctor. People who partner with their doctors tend to be happier with their health care results. Our topics can provide you with the resources you need to become a wise health consumer.
- Advance Directive: What to Include
- Adverse Reactions to Medicines
- After-School Programs
- Alternative Treatment Methods for Allergies
- Avoiding Infections in the Hospital
- Better Care at Lower Costs
- Buying Online Drugs Safely
- Cancer Support: Being an Active Patient
- Cancer Support: Coping With Cancer Treatments
- Cancer Support: Dealing With Emotions and Fears
- Cancer Support: Family, Friends, and Relationships
- Care at the End of Life
- Caregiver Support: Talking About Advance Care Planning
- Caregiver Tips
- Caregiving: Overview of Personal Care
- Checking In to the Hospital
- Choosing a Health Care Agent
- Choosing a Health Care Provider
- Choosing a Hospital
- Choosing a Nursing Home
- Cirrhosis
- Cleanliness and Hygiene Standards for Group Child Care Facilities
- Clinical Trials
- Cosmetic Surgery and Procedures
- Dealing With Medicine Side Effects and Interactions
- Decision Points About Surgery
- Decision Points About Treatments and Other Health Issues
- Decision Points for Medical Tests
- Decision Points for Medicines
- Decongestants
- Eldercare Mediation
- Electronic Medical and Health Records
- Emergency Procedures for Group Child Care Facilities
- Food Handling and Preparation in a Child Care Setting
- Funeral Planning
- Genetic Testing: Ethical, Legal, and Religious Issues
- Getting a Second Opinion
- Getting Support When You Have Cancer
- Good-Health Attitude
- Grapefruit Juice and Medicines
- Health Claims on Food Labels
- Health Tracking Forms and Checklists
- Healthwise Self-Care Checklist
- Heart Failure: Disease Management Programs
- High Blood Pressure: Nutrition Tips
- Hospice Care
- Hospital Discharge Planning
- Hospital Patient Advocates
- How to Get Rid of Medicines
- Immunizations: Questions Parents Ask
- Infertility: Ethical and Legal Concerns
- Infertility: Setting Limits on Testing
- Infertility: Setting Limits on Treatment
- Interactive Tool: Which Health Screenings Do You Need?
- Interactive Tools
- Keeping Track of Medicines
- Knowing Where to Get Medical Care
- Lab Test Results: Units of Measurement
- Living Organ Donation
- Living Will
- Living With More Than One Health Problem
- Long-Term Care Choices
- Lowering Your Health Care Costs
- Making the Most of Your Appointment
- Making Wise Health Decisions
- Managing Your Medical Bills
- Medical Specialists
- Medicare Hospice Benefit
- Medicare: What You Need to Know
- Monitoring Your Medicines
- Monitoring Your Medicines in the Hospital
- Navigating Your Hospital Stay
- Nearsightedness: Questions to Ask About Surgery
- Nonprescription Medicines and Products
- Occupational Therapy
- Office Ergonomics
- Organizing Your Medical Records
- Osteopathic Medicine
- Outpatient Services
- Over-the-Counter Medicine Precautions
- Pain Control at the End of Life
- Palliative Care
- Patient Rights and HIPAA
- Pediatric Preparation for Medical Tests
- Phases of a Clinical Trial
- Physician-Assisted Death
- Planning to Be an Organ Donor
- Preparing for Your Hospital Stay
- Prescription Medicines
- Prevent Medical Errors
- Preventing Falls in the Hospital
- Questions About Joint Surgery
- Questions About Varicose Vein Treatment
- Questions to Ask About Your Medicines
- Quick Tips: Getting in Shape Without Spending Money
- Quick Tips: Taking Medicines Wisely
- Reducing Medication Costs
- Rules of Conduct for Children in a Group Child Care Center
- Safe Use of Long-Acting Opioids
- Self-Care After a Stroke
- Smart Decisions: Know Your Options
- Staying Safe When You Take Several Medicines
- Surgery: What to Expect
- Taking Medicines as Prescribed
- The Difference Between Hospice and Palliative Care
- Tips for Finding a Counselor or Therapist
- Turning Off Your ICD
- Understanding Health Insurance
- Understanding Lab Test Results
- Using an Agency to Find Individual Child Care
- Using Antibiotics Wisely
- Vital Signs in Children
- What to Do if Your Cardiac Device Is Recalled
- Work Closely With Your Doctor
- Working With More Than One Doctor
- Writing an Advance Directive
- Your Health Care Agent: How to Choose Someone
- Your Home Health Center
- Your Medicare Yearly Wellness Visit
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Should I Get a Screening Test?
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Should I Have a Hysterectomy?
- Achilles Tendon Rupture: Should I Have Surgery?
- ACL Injury: Should I Have Knee Surgery?
- Acne: Should I See My Doctor?
- Acne: Should I Take Isotretinoin for Severe Acne?
- ADHD: Should My Child Take Medicine for ADHD?
- Advance Care Planning: Should I Have Artificial Hydration and Nutrition?
- Advance Care Planning: Should I Receive CPR and Life Support?
- Advance Care Planning: Should I Stop Kidney Dialysis?
- Advance Care Planning: Should I Stop Treatment That Prolongs My Life?
- Allergies: Should I Take Allergy Shots?
- Allergies: Should I Take Shots for Insect Sting Allergies?
- Alzheimer's Disease: Should I Take Medicines?
- Alzheimer's or Other Dementia: Should I Move My Relative Into Long-Term Care?
- Arthritis: Should I Have Hip Replacement Surgery?
- Arthritis: Should I Have Knee Replacement Surgery?
- Arthritis: Should I Have Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
- Aspirin: Should I Take Daily Aspirin to Prevent a Heart Attack or Stroke?
- Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Have Catheter Ablation?
- Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Take an Anticoagulant to Prevent Stroke?
- Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Try Electrical Cardioversion?
- Atrial Fibrillation: Which Anticoagulant Should I Take to Prevent Stroke?
- Autopsy: Should I Have an Autopsy Done on My Loved One?
- Basal Cell Skin Cancer: Should I Have Surgery or Use Medicated Cream?
- Bed-Wetting: Should I Do Something About My Child's Bed-Wetting?
- Bed-Wetting: Should My Child See a Doctor?
- Blocked Tear Ducts: Should My Baby Have a Probing Procedure?
- Blood Transfusions: Should I Bank Blood Before Surgery?
- Breast Cancer Risk: Should I Have a BRCA Gene Test?
- Breast Cancer Screening and Dense Breasts: What Are My Options?
- Breast Cancer Screening: When Should I Start Having Mammograms?
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy?
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast-Conserving Surgery or a Mastectomy for Early-Stage Cancer?
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Chemotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer?
- Breast Cancer: What Should I Do if I'm at High Risk?
- Breastfeeding: Should I Breastfeed My Baby?
- Bronchitis: Should I Take Antibiotics?
- Bunions: Should I Have Surgery?
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Should I Have Surgery?
- Cataracts: Should I Have Surgery?
- Circumcision: Should I Keep My Son's Penis Natural?
- Colorectal Cancer: Which Screening Test Should I Have?
- Complementary Medicine: Should I Use Complementary Medicine?
- Coronary Artery Disease: Should I Have an Angiogram?
- Coronary Artery Disease: Should I Have Angioplasty for Stable Angina?
- Coronary Artery Disease: Should I Have Bypass Surgery?
- Coronary Calcium Scan: Should I Have This Test?
- Depression: Should I Stop Taking My Antidepressant?
- Depression: Should I Take an Antidepressant?
- Depression: Should I Take Antidepressants While I'm Pregnant?
- Depression: Should My Child Take Medicine to Treat Depression?
- Diabetes, Type 2: Should I Take Insulin?
- Diabetes: Should I Get an Insulin Pump?
- Diabetes: Should I Get Pregnant?
- Dupuytren's Disease: Should I Have Hand Surgery?
- Ear Infection: Should I Give My Child Antibiotics?
- Ear Problems: Should My Child Be Treated for Fluid Buildup in the Middle Ear?
- Endometriosis: Should I Have a Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy?
- Endometriosis: Should I Use Hormone Therapy?
- Enlarged Prostate: Should I Have Surgery?
- Enlarged Prostate: Should I Take Medicine?
- Erection Problems: Should I Take Medicine?
- Erection Problems: Should I Try Injection Treatments?
- Fertility Problems: Should I Be Tested?
- Fertility Problems: Should I Have a Tubal Procedure or In Vitro Fertilization?
- Flu Vaccines: Should I Get a Flu Vaccine?
- Flu: Should I Take Antiviral Medicine?
- Gallstones: Should I Have Gallbladder Surgery?
- GERD: Which Treatment Should I Use?
- Hair Loss: Should I Take Medicine to Regrow Hair?
- Hammer, Claw, or Mallet Toe: Should I Have Surgery?
- Headaches: Should I Have Imaging Tests to Find Out What's Causing My Headaches?
- Headaches: Should I Take Medicine to Prevent Migraines?
- Headaches: Should I Take Prescription Medicine for Tension Headaches?
- Health Screenings: Should I Buy Commercial Tests?
- Healthy Aging: Is It Time to Stop Driving?
- Hearing Loss: Should I Get Hearing Aids?
- Heart Failure: Should I Get a Pacemaker (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy)?
- Heart Failure: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)?
- Heart Rate Problems: Should I Get a Pacemaker?
- Heart Rhythm Problems: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)?
- Heart Valve Problems: Should I Choose a Mechanical Valve or Tissue Valve to Replace My Heart Valve?
- Hemorrhoids: Which Treatment Should I Use?
- Hepatitis B: Should I Be Tested?
- Hepatitis B: Should I Take Antiviral Medicine for Chronic Hepatitis B?
- High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine?
- HIV Testing: Should I Get Tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus?
- HPV: Should I Get the Vaccine?
- HPV: Should My Child Get the Vaccine?
- Hyperthyroidism: Should I Use Antithyroid Medicine or Radioactive Iodine?
- Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy: Should I Use Estrogen Therapy (ET)?
- Hysterectomy: Should I Also Have My Ovaries Removed?
- Infertility: Should I Have Treatment?
- Inguinal Hernia: Should I Have Surgery Now, or Should I Wait?
- Insomnia: Should I Take Sleeping Pills?
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Should I Have Tests for IBS Symptoms?
- Kidney Failure: Should I Start Dialysis?
- Kidney Failure: What Type of Dialysis Should I Have?
- Kidney Failure: When Should I Start Dialysis?
- Kidney Stones: Should I Have Lithotripsy to Break Up the Stone?
- Low Back Pain: Should I Have an MRI?
- Low Back Pain: Should I Have Spinal Manipulation?
- Low Back Pain: Should I Try Epidural Steroid Shots?
- Lumbar Herniated Disc: Should I Have Surgery?
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Should I Have Surgery?
- Lung Cancer: Should I Have Screening?
- Meniscus Tear: Should I Have a Diagnostic Test (MRI or Arthroscopy)?
- Meniscus Tear: Should I Have Surgery?
- Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)?
- Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?
- Multiple Pregnancy: Should I Consider a Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction?
- Multiple Sclerosis: Should I Start Taking Medicines for MS?
- Nail Infection: Should I Take Antifungal Pills?
- Nearsightedness: Should I Have Laser Surgery?
- Obesity: Should I Have Weight-Loss Surgery?
- Obesity: Should I Take Weight-Loss Medicine?
- Obesity: Should I Use a Diet Plan to Lose Weight?
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Should I Take Medicine for OCD?
- Osteoporosis: Should I Have a Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Test?
- Osteoporosis: Should I Take Bisphosphonate Medicines?
- Ovarian Cancer: Should I Have My Ovaries Removed to Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
- Panic Disorder: Should I Take Medicine?
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Should I Have Surgery?
- Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have Surgery?
- Plantar Fasciitis: Should I Have Surgery for Heel Pain?
- PMS: Should I Try an SSRI Medicine for My Symptoms?
- Prediabetes: Which Treatment Should I Use to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?
- Pregnancy: Should I Bank My Baby's Umbilical Cord Blood?
- Pregnancy: Should I Have Amniocentesis?
- Pregnancy: Should I Have an Early Fetal Ultrasound?
- Pregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
- Pregnancy: Should I Have CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling)?
- Pregnancy: Should I Have Screening Tests for Birth Defects?
- Pregnancy: Should I Try Vaginal Birth After a Past C-Section (VBAC)?
- Prostate Cancer Screening: Should I Have a PSA Test?
- Prostate Cancer: Should I Choose Active Surveillance?
- Prostate Cancer: Should I Have Radiation or Surgery for Localized Prostate Cancer?
- Quitting Smoking: Should I Use Medicine?
- Rotator Cuff Problems: Should I Have Surgery?
- Scoliosis: Should My Child Have Surgery?
- Shingles: Should I Get a Shot to Prevent Shingles?
- Sinusitis: Should I Have Surgery?
- Sinusitis: Should I Take Antibiotics?
- Sleep Apnea: Should I Have a Sleep Study?
- Sleep Apnea: Should I Have Surgery?
- Sore Throat: Should I Take Antibiotics?
- Statins: Should I Take Them to Prevent a Heart Attack or Stroke?
- STI Testing: Should I Get Tested for a Sexually Transmitted Infection?
- Stress Incontinence in Women: Should I Have Surgery?
- Stroke Prevention: Should I Have a Carotid Artery Procedure?
- Stroke: Should I Move My Loved One Into Long-Term Care?
- Supraventricular Tachycardia: Should I Have Catheter Ablation?
- Temporomandibular Disorder: Should I Have Surgery for Jaw Pain?
- Tennis Elbow: Should I Have Surgery?
- Testicular Cancer: Which Treatment Should I Have for Stage I Nonseminoma Testicular Cancer After My Surgery?
- Testicular Cancer: Which Treatment Should I Have for Stage I Seminoma Testicular Cancer After My Surgery?
- Tonsillitis: Should My Child Have a Tonsillectomy?
- Ulcerative Colitis: Should I Have Surgery?
- Umbilical Hernia: Should I Have Surgery?
- Umbilical Hernia: Should My Child Have Surgery?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Surgery?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Use GnRH-A Therapy?
- Vaginal Yeast Infection: Should I Treat It Myself?
- Varicose Veins: Should I Have a Surgical Procedure?
- Warts: Should I Treat Warts?
- Weight Management: Should I Use Over-the-Counter Diet Aids?
- Wisdom Teeth: Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
- ACL Injury: Exercises to Do Before Treatment
- ADHD: Helping Your Child Get the Most From School
- ADHD: Helping Your Child Get Things Done
- Aging Well: Choosing a Nursing Home
- Aging Well: Making Your Home Fall-Proof
- Alcohol Problems: Helping Someone Get Treatment
- Alcohol Problems: How to Stop Drinking
- Allergies in Children: Giving an Epinephrine Shot to a Child
- Allergies: Avoiding Indoor Triggers
- Allergies: Avoiding Outdoor Triggers
- Allergies: Giving Yourself an Epinephrine Shot
- Amblyopia: Wearing an Eye Patch
- Anxiety: Stop Negative Thoughts
- Arthritis: Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Asthma in Children: Helping a Child Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler and Mask Spacer
- Asthma: Identifying Your Triggers
- Asthma: Measuring Peak Flow
- Asthma: Taking Charge of Your Asthma
- Asthma: Using an Asthma Action Plan
- Atopic Dermatitis: Taking Care of Your Skin
- Back Problems: Proper Lifting
- Bipolar Disorder in Children: Helping Your Child Prevent Manic Episodes
- Bipolar Disorder: Preventing Manic Episodes
- Blood Thinners Other Than Warfarin: Taking Them Safely
- Bowel Disease: Caring for Your Ostomy
- Bowel Disease: Changing Your Diet
- Breastfeeding: Planning Ahead
- Breathing Exercises: Using a Manual Incentive Spirometer
- Breathing Problems: Using a Dry Powder Inhaler
- Breathing Problems: Using a Metered-Dose Inhaler
- Cancer: Controlling Cancer Pain
- Cancer: Controlling Nausea and Vomiting From Chemotherapy
- Celiac Disease: Eating a Gluten-Free Diet
- Chickenpox: Controlling the Itch
- Chronic Pain: Using Healthy Thinking
- Compression Stockings: How to Use Them
- COPD: Avoiding Weight Loss
- COPD: Avoiding Your Triggers
- COPD: Clearing Your Lungs
- COPD: Learning to Breathe Easier
- COPD: Using Exercise to Feel Better
- Coronary Artery Disease: Exercising for a Healthy Heart
- Croup: Managing a Croup Attack
- Cystic Fibrosis: Helping Your Child Cough Up Mucus
- Dental Care: Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth
- Depression: Dealing With Medicine Side Effects
- Depression: Helping Someone Get Treatment
- Depression: Managing Postpartum Depression
- Depression: Stop Negative Thoughts
- Depression: Supporting Someone Who Is Depressed
- Depression: Taking Antidepressants Safely
- Diabetes in Children: Checking Blood Sugar in a Child
- Diabetes in Children: Counting Carbs
- Diabetes in Children: Giving Insulin Shots to a Child
- Diabetes in Children: Preparing a Care Plan for School
- Diabetes in Children: Preventing High Blood Sugar
- Diabetes in Children: Treating Low Blood Sugar
- Diabetes: Checking Your Blood Sugar
- Diabetes: Coping With Your Feelings About Your Diet
- Diabetes: Counting Carbs if You Don't Use Insulin
- Diabetes: Counting Carbs if You Use Insulin
- Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar From Insulin
- Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar From Medicines
- Diabetes: Eating Low-Glycemic Foods
- Diabetes: Giving Yourself an Insulin Shot
- Diabetes: Living With an Insulin Pump
- Diabetes: Preventing High Blood Sugar Emergencies
- Diabetes: Taking Care of Your Feet
- Diabetes: Using a Plate Format to Plan Meals
- Epilepsy: Taking Your Medicines Properly
- Eye Problems: Using Eyedrops and Eye Ointment
- Fitness: Adding More Activity to Your Life
- Fitness: Choosing Activities That Are Right for You
- Fitness: Making It a Habit
- Fitness: Staying Active When You Have Young Children
- Fitness: Teaching Your Child to Stay Active
- Fitness: Using a Pedometer or Step Counter
- Fitness: Walking for Wellness
- Foot Problems: Finding the Right Shoes
- GERD: Controlling Heartburn by Changing Your Habits
- Gestational Diabetes: Checking Your Blood Sugar
- Gestational Diabetes: Counting Carbs
- Gestational Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar
- Gestational Diabetes: Giving Yourself Insulin Shots
- Gout: Changing Your Diet
- Grief: Coping With Grief
- Grief: Helping Children With Grief
- Grief: Helping Older Adults With Grief
- Grief: Helping Teens With Grief
- Growth and Development: Helping Your Child Build Self-Esteem
- Headaches: Finding and Avoiding Triggers
- Headaches: Managing a Headache
- Healthy Eating: Changing Your Eating Habits
- Healthy Eating: Cutting Unhealthy Fats From Your Diet
- Healthy Eating: Eating Heart-Healthy Foods
- Healthy Eating: Eating Less Sodium
- Healthy Eating: Getting Support When Changing Your Eating Habits
- Healthy Eating: Helping Your Child Learn Healthy Eating Habits
- Healthy Eating: Making Healthy Choices When You Shop
- Healthy Eating: Overcoming Barriers to Change
- Healthy Eating: Recognizing Your Hunger Signals
- Healthy Eating: Starting a Plan for Change
- Healthy Eating: Staying With Your Plan
- Healthy Eating: Taking Calcium and Vitamin D
- Heart Failure: Activity and Exercise
- Heart Failure: Avoiding Medicines That Make Symptoms Worse
- Heart Failure: Avoiding Triggers for Sudden Heart Failure
- Heart Failure: Checking Your Weight
- Heart Failure: Taking Medicines Properly
- Heart Failure: Watching Your Fluids
- Heart Health: Walking for a Healthy Heart
- High Blood Pressure: Checking Your Blood Pressure at Home
- High Blood Pressure: Taking Medicines Properly
- High Blood Pressure: Using the DASH Diet
- Hip Dysplasia: Caring for Your Child in a Body (Spica) Cast
- HIV: Taking Antiretroviral Drugs
- ICD: Living Well With It
- Insomnia: Improving Your Sleep
- Kidney Disease: Changing Your Diet
- Kidney Stones: Preventing Kidney Stones Through Diet
- Low Back Pain: Exercises to Reduce Pain
- Low-Salt Diets: Eating Out
- Lymphedema: Managing Lymphedema
- Meniscus Tear: Rehabilitation Exercises
- Menopause: Managing Hot Flashes
- Menstrual Cycle: Dealing With Cramps
- Migraines: Finding and Avoiding Triggers
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Using Graded Exercise to Get More Energy
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Using Healthy Thinking
- Oxygen Therapy: Using Oxygen at Home
- Pacemaker: Living Well With It
- Patellar Tracking Disorder: Exercises
- Plantar Fasciitis: Exercises to Relieve Pain
- Pregnancy and Diabetes: Planning for Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Dealing With Morning Sickness
- Psoriasis: Skin, Scalp, and Nail Care
- Quitting Smoking: Coping With Cravings and Withdrawal
- Quitting Smoking: Dealing With Weight Gain
- Quitting Smoking: Getting Support
- Quitting Smoking: Helping Someone Quit
- Quitting Smoking: Preventing Slips or Relapses
- Rotator Cuff Problems: Exercises You Can Do at Home
- Seasonal Affective Disorder: Using Light Therapy
- Skin Cancer: Protecting Your Skin
- Sleep Problems: Dealing With Jet Lag
- Sleep: Helping Your Children-and Yourself-Sleep Well
- Sprained Ankle: Rehabilitation Exercises
- Sprained Ankle: Using a Compression Wrap
- Stop Negative Thoughts: Getting Started
- Stress Management: Breathing Exercises for Relaxation
- Stress Management: Doing Guided Imagery to Relax
- Stress Management: Doing Meditation
- Stress Management: Doing Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Stress Management: Helping Your Child With Stress
- Stress Management: Managing Your Time
- Stress Management: Practicing Yoga to Relax
- Stress Management: Reducing Stress by Being Assertive
- Stress Management: Relaxing Your Mind and Body
- Stroke Recovery: Coping With Eating Problems
- Substance Use Problems: Dealing With Teen Substance Use
- Thumb-Sucking: Helping Your Child Stop
- Tube Feeding: Living With a Feeding Tube
- Vertigo: Balance Exercises
- Vertigo: Staying Safe When You Have Balance Problems
- Vision Problems: Living With Poor Eyesight
- Warfarin: Taking Your Medicine Safely
- Weight Management: Stop Negative Thoughts
- Wrist Care: Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Current as of: October 9, 2017
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine