Be Prepared: This is your body and your life.
STAYING HEALTHY and being prepared for your doctor’s visit.
Be Prepared-How to Make the Most of Your Doctor's Visit
Office visits are generally scheduled for thirty minutes except for complicated cases therefore, both doctor and patient need to be as efficient as possible to get the most out of that time.
Here is how you can help your physician understand your health.
Before Your Doctor’s Visit: Prepare the Facts
Patients should prepare a list of current medications, and medical history before their doctors’ visit. Also, prepare a list of recent test, ER visits, and hospital visits. Bring a copy of latest test results with you to your visit.
Know your medial history—As the patient you need to know your medical history and your family’s. Your doctor needs to know about old or current medical problems, even if they are not the reason you are going to the doctor this time.
Current medications-Make a list of prescription drugs as well as any over-the-counter medicines you may have been taking. If you are uncertain you can ask your local pharmacist for a print-out of all your medications.
Test Results from other doctors or specialists you’ve seen. Include the doctors’ contact information— phone numbers, fax number and address. The doctor has to make sure any treatment works with what your other doctors are recommending.
Prior to the Visit: Making decisions about your health
Think about what you want to get out of the visit. This is the time to gather your thoughts and to understand your health issues. Make a list of questions you want to ask the doctor. If your condition is complicated you might consider writing down all the symptoms you have been experiencing. It is very important to talk openly with your doctor.
Seeing the Doctor
Patients should arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment to complete any pre-appointment registration or updates. If you have medical insurance, be sure to take any insurance cards with you to the visit.
This is the time you have prepared for and you should begin by telling your physicians your symptoms. You must try to be as specific as possible because every part of your health information is important in order for your doctor to diagnose your condition. Your doctor needs your symptoms, personal history, family history and other facts to determine your diagnoses.
Your doctor will now try to answer you questions and provide what treatment is possible for you. The doctor might order test and a follow-up appointment.
Remember, if you find things confusing or do not understand ask the doctor to explain it to you in more details. This is your health and you need to understand what is going on with your body.
After the Visit: Follow Up
Please follow the instructions your doctor gave you and start taking the prescribed medications right away. If at any point you have questions, you should call the office. As you leave the office, be sure you’ve scheduled a follow-up appointment, if necessary.
Remember- Be Prepared: This is your body and your life.
