Patient support networks: something for everyone.

With the emphasis of American health care shifting toward patient rights and education, the resources available through patient support networks are a valuable supplement to physician services. Support networks are groups organized around specific conditions or disorders, their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. As with other forms of patient education, support networks enable patients to become more informed about their disease and to play a more active role in their health care. Following a summary of patient-physician-support network relationships and the benefits thereof, a list of patient support resources is provided.