How to Make the Most of Your Next Physician"s Appointment, 6 Simple Steps
Today physicians are dealing with higher patient loads, patients with more complex medical issues, and managing more medications than ever.
If you want to make the most of the limited time you have with the physician, you need to be prepared.
Here are 6 simple steps to getting your medical needs met.
Gather information.
If this is your first visit or the first in years with your physician: Gather all your personal and family medical information.
It's not a bad idea to keep a healthcare folder with copies of your updated insurance cards, contact numbers, allergies, and immunizations, medications including dosages, over the counter medications, vitamins, herbals or homeopathic remedies you are taking.
Make a list of your current symptoms and how long you have experienced them.
The more accurate and detailed the information you give your physician, the more accurate the diagnosis.
Select a physician.
Start with your insurance company's list of approved physicians and then narrow the choices by asking for referrals from friends or family.
You could also do a search online or in your yellow pages.
Choose a physician you like, you may be in a long term relationship and you want to be comfortable sharing information about you.
Schedule an appointment.
It is generally recommended that you schedule earlier in the day.
As the day progresses your doctor could be called out to emergencies, causing a backup in her schedule that compounds throughout the day.
Ask a family member or friend to go with you.
Sometimes the information may be difficult to understand and you could benefit from another pair of ears to decipher the doctor's recommendations.
Make a list of questions.
This is probably the most important, yet overlooked step: Make a list of questions or concerns to ask your doctor.
If your questions are routine or general in nature you may even take advantage of the time that you are waiting for the doctor and ask the nursing staff.
During the visit most doctors are task oriented; they assess your symptoms and changes since your last visit, and then quickly determine what you need.
If you are not prepared, you may not have an opportunity to ask your questions or address your fears, especially if they are not related to your current illness or condition.
But if you have a notepad with a list of questions, you can have a discussion about your options.
Clarify your next steps.
Before you leave the doctor's office, be clear about what your next steps are.
Do you need to schedule a follow up visit or other testing, call for lab results, fill a prescription, or see a specialist? Clarifying your responsibilities can save you time and frustration.
Remember that you and your doctor are on the same team with the same goal, your overall health; preparing for your visit just facilitates the process.
If you want to make the most of the limited time you have with the physician, you need to be prepared.
Here are 6 simple steps to getting your medical needs met.
Gather information.
If this is your first visit or the first in years with your physician: Gather all your personal and family medical information.
It's not a bad idea to keep a healthcare folder with copies of your updated insurance cards, contact numbers, allergies, and immunizations, medications including dosages, over the counter medications, vitamins, herbals or homeopathic remedies you are taking.
Make a list of your current symptoms and how long you have experienced them.
The more accurate and detailed the information you give your physician, the more accurate the diagnosis.
Select a physician.
Start with your insurance company's list of approved physicians and then narrow the choices by asking for referrals from friends or family.
You could also do a search online or in your yellow pages.
Choose a physician you like, you may be in a long term relationship and you want to be comfortable sharing information about you.
Schedule an appointment.
It is generally recommended that you schedule earlier in the day.
As the day progresses your doctor could be called out to emergencies, causing a backup in her schedule that compounds throughout the day.
Ask a family member or friend to go with you.
Sometimes the information may be difficult to understand and you could benefit from another pair of ears to decipher the doctor's recommendations.
Make a list of questions.
This is probably the most important, yet overlooked step: Make a list of questions or concerns to ask your doctor.
If your questions are routine or general in nature you may even take advantage of the time that you are waiting for the doctor and ask the nursing staff.
During the visit most doctors are task oriented; they assess your symptoms and changes since your last visit, and then quickly determine what you need.
If you are not prepared, you may not have an opportunity to ask your questions or address your fears, especially if they are not related to your current illness or condition.
But if you have a notepad with a list of questions, you can have a discussion about your options.
Clarify your next steps.
Before you leave the doctor's office, be clear about what your next steps are.
Do you need to schedule a follow up visit or other testing, call for lab results, fill a prescription, or see a specialist? Clarifying your responsibilities can save you time and frustration.
Remember that you and your doctor are on the same team with the same goal, your overall health; preparing for your visit just facilitates the process.
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