The doctor patient relationship is an important one. Finding a doctor who shares your beliefs, listens to your needs and can partner in your care is the foundation of a great doctor/patient relationship. There are other factors that go into finding the right doctor that need to be considered too. Like does he accept your insurance? Is his staff friendly and helpful? Are his office hours convenient for your schedule? Jean Gould, a program manager with the MaineHealth Learning Resource Center, offers you the best tips to consider for finding the best doctor for you.

In this age of online information and health tools, it can be quite confusing whether what you read is the truth or fiction. With medical records becoming digital and health information available at the touch of a button, you might wonder if this is more complicated or easier to access. Janell L. Lewis is here to offer simple strategies to make sure that your 15 minutes with the healthcare provider leads to the best health outcomes.

Sleep is very important to your child's health and well-being. In fact, good sleep habits start from birth. However, getting young children to sleep (and to stay asleep) is often one of the most daunting tasks of parenthood. Regardless of your child's age, the key is to have a predictable series of steps that help him wind down from the day. Parents may find that routines may ease the stress that some families experience at nighttime.Jessica Begley, Certified Child Sleep Consultant & Health Educator at MaineHealth Learning Resource Center, joins the show to discuss the easy changes you can make to help prepare your child physically and mentally for sleep.  Not only will bedtime become calmer but the whole family will be better rested.

Many parents don’t realize the importance of recognizing early onset of puberty and the issues it can cause that persist into adulthood if not diagnosed when still young. There is a misconception that puberty is occurring years earlier than just a decade ago and this is not true. Dr. Jerrold Olshan, Pediatric Endocrinologist and Diabetes specialist with Maine Medical Partners Pediatric Specialty Care is here to discuss the ramifications of early puberty, how it can be treated and what may or may not be contributing to changes when puberty occurs.

It’s estimated that more than 5 million men in the United States suffer from bladder problems and incontinence. Often, men are uninformed about this topic, and the challenges it can present. While prostate removal for cancer treatment is one of the most common causes, other conditions can come into play as well, such as neurological disorders, diabetes, or spinal injury. Hear from Dr. R. Clay McDonough III, a Urologist, and co-director of the Maine Medical Partners Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery Program, as he talks about this issue, its causes, and ways that treatment can improve a patient’s quality of life.

Adolescence can be a difficult time for kids and parents. Today’s adolescents have more issues to deal with than ever before which can make parenting difficult. Many parents have a hard time addressing certain health issues with their teenagers but primary care providers can be of great assistance with health related topics including vaping (e-cigarettes), Marijuana, HPV, sex and screen time.Dr. Jonathan Fanburg is here to discuss the best ways to approach your child when it comes time to address these important issues.

Maintaining good nutritional status during cancer treatment is essential to a positive outcome.

Cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can cause side effects that may impact a patient's ability to eat.The right nutrition plan helps patients better cope with side effects by minimizing treatment breaks and enhancing their quality of life.Since each patient is different, the Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute has dedicated a registered dietitian to work with each patient to meet their individual needs.Karen Schilling, M.S., R.D., is here to discuss the right nutrition plan for pre and post cancer treatments.

Dementia is a syndrome that affects 47.5 million people worldwide, and a new case is diagnosed every 4 seconds. Caring for loved ones with dementia can be overwhelming physically, emotionally and financially. With education and advocacy, the quality of life for people with dementia and their caregivers can be greatly improved.Richard T. Marino Jr., MD is here to discuss Dementia and how you can help those around you stay safe.

Shared Decision Making is an integrative process between patients and clinicians that can engage the patient in decision making for their best outcomes. It provides the patient with current and unbiased information about alternative treatments; and helps them make decisions about their own healthcare in a more informed way.Another important factor is that it can facilitate the incorporation of your values and preferences in your own treatment.Decision making in health care is changing, and patients will be asked to be more involved in their own healthcare decisions and advocate for their own best outcomes. Neil Korsen, MD is here to discuss how you can be your own best advocate for your health, and how your decision making process, in conjunction with your health care provider, can give you the best chance at a healthy lifestyle and best outcomes.

Colorectal cancer is the nation’s second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is the fourth most common cancer in Maine; however it is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented. Through proper colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find and remove hidden growths (called “polyps”) in the colon, before they become cancerous. Removing polyps can prevent cancer altogether. It's much easier than you think!Screening for Colorectal cancer is simple and not nearly as difficult as most people think!Know your family history. It may mean you start screening before age 50, or screen more frequently.Sara W. Mayo, MD is here to discuss Colorectal cancer, and how you can get a simple test to help prevent this cancer.