So, you’ve just made an appointment with your primary care physician. What should you do to make sure you get the most out of the time you’ll have with your doctor? Here’s a guide that will help you prepare. As physicians, we’re there to help you be well and stay well. Helping us do that is where you come in.
Prepare/Organize
1. It starts with you requesting all outside lab work, x-rays, and ER health records to be sent to your primary care physician at least a week before your visit. Here’s how to do that: a records release form is available online or by calling the medical records department of a hospital, a health facility, or specialist’s office where you received care. Remember, our healthcare system remains fragmented, so it’s your responsibility to keep up-to-date on your own health information.
2. The night before, write out any questions you may have to help focus the visit. Put all of your medications in a bag to bring to your appointment. Physicians get a lot of useful information simply by looking at the actual bottles. For instance, sometimes doctors count the pills to see if you have been taking your medications as prescribed.
3. On the morning of your appointment, if you are taking medications, you’ll need a list of those and the dosage. Tip: you can bring along the drug information sheet you receive with each medication in place of a list.
4. If you have been asked not to eat the night before, that means nothing can be in your digestive tract the next day. It’s easy to think I’m hungry, one little cracker can’t hurt. But, it can throw- off the tests. So, no food the night before! Medications may be taken with a sip of water. If you are diabetic, take your glucose meter with you. Tip: an early a morning appointment let’s you eat sooner. Also, it’s easiest if you wear short sleeves for taking blood pressure readings.
5. It’s appointment time. If you have trouble hearing or it’s a critical visit, take someone with you to act as a second set of ears. Allot more time then you think you’ll need to get there and park. Plus your stress level will be higher if you are running late, which will drive-up your blood pressure. Arrive in the office at least 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment to fill-out any forms and get registered. Take your insurance card and be prepared to co-pay. Be patient, healthcare delivery is not like McDonald’s! Your physician may be running late because (s)he is giving quality attention to someone just like you. Bring a book or magazine, waiting room magazines are usually outdated. How many back issues of People, Jet, Golf Digest, can we look at. . .
6. Before seeing your physician, you may be directed to the lab area for blood work or to the rest room to leave a sample.
7. Once your physician is in the examination room with you, check your notes, ask questions, and remember the only “dumb” question is the unasked question. Ask for detailed explanations in simple, non-technical terms. We physicians are used to our own vocabulary, sometimes we can forget that patients aren’t familiar with medical terminology. Remember to take notes as your talking with your doctor!
Discuss any difficulties you have with filling prescriptions if cost is an issue. Tip: there is a list of generic and high quality $4 medications that may be appropriate. If specific medications are prescribed, ask about drug companies prescription drug plans aimed to help defray the costs of medications.
8. Before your doctor says good-bye, read the notes you’ve been taking to her/him to make sure you’ve got it right.
9. Your appointment is over. Great. But, before you leave the office, check if you have a follow-up appointment, new prescriptions, refill prescriptions, and that you understand the treatment plan. Once home, follow the treatment plan and take your medications as prescribed.
Remember, you should like and trust your doctor. If you don’t, consider finding a new one by asking friends, relatives, or co-workers for referrals. If you are thinking about switching doctors, make sure the new physician accepts your insurance coverage and/or Medicare/Medicaid.
As you’ve seen, going to the doctor requires preparation, organization, and patience to get the most from a visit. Physicians and patients truly are partners in healthcare. Be well.
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