Apr 10, 2007

Get More from Your Doctor Visits

The Aging and Grandparenting topic at Suite101 looks at pain management this week. Your health is important, and a strong meeting of the minds with your doctor may be the best medicine.

Here are some tips for getting the most from your time with healthcare practitioners.

Write all your questions down the night before your visit.

Put your prescription medications, in their original containers, in a large zip-type plastic bag to take with you.

Make notes about your symptoms and feelings if you aren't feeling your best.

Ask your spouse, significant other, best friend or a family member to come with you. Their job is to listen to you and to your doctor, maybe take notes, to be sure you can get all the information the doctor gives.

Ask lots of questions, don't be shy. Ask for an explanation in different terms if there is something you don't understand. Do that until you understand clearly.

Make sure you bring insurance forms, picture ID, and your co-payment. Allow yourself plenty of time to fill out forms or updates when you arrive.

Call ahead to ask if the doctor is running significantly late. Sometimes, you can plan to arrive later if you know what the doctor's day is looking like.

If the doctor fails to examine or evaluate the part of you that isn't feeling right, point that out and request that he/she take a look.

Here are some questions to ask once the doctor examines you.

What's causing my problems?

Can the issue be resolved without medication?

How can we be sure that's the problem? Are there tests that can help?

What are the possible outcomes of the problem and the treatment?

Are these tests covered by insurance carriers?

If there's a prescription involved, always ask what the possible side effects are and if generic drugs may be substituted without consequences.

When should I see you again?

Once you go home, revisit the information you were given. That's where your companion comes in, and where note-taking pays off. Read through the notes, ask your companion what he or she heard. Repeat what you heard and see if both versions agree. If not, call the doctor (or a pharmacist, sometimes) to clarify.

Follow all the doc's instructions carefully. Take all meds exactly as prescribed, for as long as prescribed. Keep notes on how you feel and on any changes you are aware of.