Several years ago, a friend of mine was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after suffering from severe fatigue and aches and pain all over her body. Her doctor, a highly trained neuromuscular specialist, provided her with written information about the condition and explained the various treatment options that he suggested she try.

But according to my friend, the doctor’s best recommendation was to join a patient-assistance group sponsored by a local hospital—a type of free program that is enormously helpful for people who are newly diagnosed and long-term patients with conditions ranging from cancer to arthritis. My friend’s group met regularly (most groups meet monthly), but the fellow fibromyalgia patients were also available around the clock and provided her with guidance on how to handle the side effects of her medications…recommended nearby stress-reduction classes that were a big help…and even suggested some local primary care doctors who had a good understanding of her condition.

Studies show that patients often find fellow patients more helpful than medical professionals when dealing with the day-to-day challenges related to a specific medical condition. In patient-assistance groups sponsored by hospitals, self-help groups or advocacy organizations dedicated to specific conditions, such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or the Arthritis Foundation, the volunteers can be especially helpful because they are usually well trained to address common issues. How to benefit from a patient-assistance group…

• Realize that there’s probably a group for you. No matter what your condition, there is likely a patient-assistance program ready to help you. Among the most common are those for people with breast and other forms of cancer (and survivors undergoing follow-up treatment and/or monitoring)…coronary bypass and other heart conditions…Parkinson’s disease…arthritis…lung disorders…and post-stroke issues. If you have a rare disorder or live in a rural area, national organizations have programs that can match you up one-to-one with fellow patients for phone calls, Skype visits or one-on-one meetings. Important: Patient-assistance groups should not be used as a substitute for a doctor but rather as an adjunct to your overall care.

• Get a good referral. Start with your doctor. Ask if he/she can recommend a patient-assistance group in your area. You can also check with your local hospitals—speak to the hospital’s social work department or volunteer coordinator. To find out what is available in your area, you can also go online or call national disease-specific advocacy groups, such as the American Cancer Society. For less common conditions, contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders (203-744-0100).

• Know what help is available. In addition to the benefits listed above, patient-assistance groups can give you firsthand feedback, based on other patients’ experiences, on what to realistically expect from treatments…advice on what questions to ask your health-care providers as issues arise…and, in many cases, even the opportunity to have another person, with a similar situation, accompany you to your medical appointments. You won’t get this kind of personalized attention from your doctor!