Knowledge is Power Program

Patient Information Sheets for Allergies

The Knowledge is Power Program will explore different ways to become a more #EmpoweredPatient . Find our FREE downloadable patient information sheets to use as tools to help guide your discussions with your healthcare team.

At Zestfull, we have felt the power dynamic of a doctor’s visit despite being well-informed allergy patients. We would say having a non-profit and podcast about allergies has kept us extremely well-informed! However, somehow, we lose our sense of authority when sitting across from a doctor. We minimize our allergy symptoms and play ‘good patient,’ letting the allergist or immunologist lead the way. This never ends well; we leave the appointment disappointed, especially since it took so long to get it.

“I let the allergist dictate the appointment, nervous about sharing my research and preferences, but this changed when I realized I have to live with it, so my allergy treatment plan needs to fit in my life, not become my life!

-Kortney, Zestfull Co-Founder

Change this dynamic through shared decision-making in healthcare

Knowledge is your superpower; don’t be shy about what you know about your allergic conditions! You’ve done your research and are the authority of your body. Embracing this will empower you to take charge of your health and make informed decisions about your care plan for allergies. We believe that shared decision-making in healthcare is one of the pillars of being an empowered patient, guiding you toward a better understanding and ensuring that your healthcare decisions align with your unique needs and preferences.

What is shared decision-making?

Shared decision-making is defined as “a key component of patient-centered healthcare. It is a process in which clinicians and patients work together to make decisions and select tests, treatments and care plans based on clinical evidence that balances risks and expected outcomes with patient preferences and values.” ¹

Knowledge is Power Patient Information Sheets

Even with the most vigorous planning before an appointment, it is hard to remember everything or know what to expect at an appointment with your HealthCare Provider (HCP). We’ve created these free downloadable and printable patient information sheets for you to use as tools to share with your HCP and help guide your discussions in the shared decision making process.

Please note: our patient education materials are not intended as direct medical advice but as a starting point for discussion with your clinician.

FREE DOWNLOADS: PATIENT INFORMATION SHEETS

How to overcome the challenges
of access to healthcare for allergies
FREE INFORMATION SHEET

Healthcare Access for Allergies

Co-factors that can lead to
a more severe food allergy reaction
FREE INFORMATION SHEET

Cofactors of Allergic Reactions to Food

Managing Seasonal Allergies
Your Yearling Checklist
FREE INFORMATION SHEET

Managing Rhinitis All Year

Identifying and managing
your child's asthma triggers
FREE INFORMATION SHEET

Identifying & Managing Your Child's Asthma Triggers

PRO TIP: Did you know that in addition to an allergist, you can request specific IgE allergy blood testing through your HCP? Check out Allergy Insider’s Symptom Questionnaire to complete beforehand and take it with you to start your shared allergy decision making process with your doctor.

Shared decision-making: Be an Active Member of Your Healthcare Team

Shared decision-making encourages you to participate in the decision-making process, transforming you from a passive recipient of care into an active agent. With your healthcare provider, you’ll weigh the pros and cons of every step from different allergy testing options, considering your needs in management plans and preferences in possible allergy treatment options. Depending on your test results and allergy history, your healthcare provider may refer you to an allergy specialist or immunologist.

How do you reap the benefits of shared decision-making?

→ Your Knowledge:

Don’t be afraid to do your evidence-based research and get a feel for terms you may/will encounter when talking to your healthcare team. We firmly believe knowledge is power! Information is the cornerstone of informed decision-making. Armed with knowledge, you can confidently navigate the world of allergy testing and diagnosis, reading food labels and the nuances of allergies from the gray areas like Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) to dealing with social events around food and family.

→ Your Healthcare Team:

Ensure your healthcare provider is on board with patient-centered care, which can also include an allergist or immunologist, allergy-informed therapist and registered dietitian. They must be equal team members and consider your preferences and values. Your team also needs to be on board with your lifestyle and cultural needs. Learn more about access to care to plan for a better experience at your next appointment.

→ Your Experience:

Remember that you are the authority on your body and history, whereas your doctor is the expert. It is important not to ignore their training and extensive knowledge (unlike what you might find on Dr. Google!). It’s a matter of mutual respect: they should listen to you, and you should also respect what they say, as they may pick up on something in your medical history that you’re unaware of.

Open and honest communication is essential for shared decision-making for adults with allergies.

FREE DOWNLOADS: PATIENT INFORMATION SHEETS

Healthcare Access Information Sheet

Allergic Reaction Cofactors Information Sheet

Allergic Asthma Triggers Information Sheet

Seasonal Rhinitis Information Sheet

Have you embraced Knowledge is Power in your allergy journey?

→ Join our #Empowered Patient Community! ←

This program is medically reviewed and approved by Gary Falcetano, PA-C, AE-C Scientific Affairs Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Knowledge is Power is part of the #EmpoweredPatient Program, in partnership and supported by Allergy Insider, brought to you by Thermo Fisher Scientific.

The tips and stories within this program are personal experiences from patients shared with their permission.

Learn more about how allergen component testing works and how to get started on your testing journey today with Allergy Insider.