Five Tasks for Your Next Doctor Appointment

FIVE TASKS FOR YOUR NEXT DOCTOR APPOINTMENT

Have you noticed that you spend more time in the waiting room than you do in the exam room? On average, our doctor spends approximately 12 minutes examining and educating us. Here I have the top 5 tasks for you to take with you to get the most out of your next doctor appointment. 

Scheduling:  Schedule your appointment at a time that is most convenient for you. Work, school and kids all play a factor in determining your best time. You don't want to run late as many doctor offices are charging for your tardiness or simply canceling your appointment for that day. 

Medication List:  Create an ongoing and updated list of all your medications and bring them with you. This list should include every medication you take, including anything over the counter such as Tylenol or vitamins. Having your list available will reduce the time spent trying to inform your doctor based off your memory. 
Click here for a free form to save and print from your computer. 


Medical History:   Some of us have been through more surgeries and more diagnosis than others. Again, keep an updated list so you are spending less time trying to work from memory. This is especially important if you are seeing a specialist. They may not have your full medical record and they will rely on you to give them these details. 

Take Notes:  During the doctor visit, bring pen and paper. Bring whatever tools you use to take notes. Maybe you have a smart phone. Pull that out and take notes. Maybe you have a mini recorder. Record the pertinent instructions your doctor is giving you. 
We remember 1/3rd of what is told to us in a doctor appointment. By taking notes, you be able to follow all the instructions the doctor gave you and you will understand the why for those instructions.

Ask Questions: Prepare questions in advance and bring them with you. Being prepared will ease your mind on the limited time you know you will have with your doctor. What are your concerns? What's paining you and what is not feeling right to you? Should you continue taking certain medications and why? Always ask why.  Kids are always asking "why, why, why?"  We need to do the same. We are more compliant with instructions if we understand the why and not just the 'they told me so'.  Ask questions so you feel confident you are doing the right thing by understanding. 

Your goal is to improve your health through educating yourself.  We need to ask questions to understand what are diagnosis means.  When the doctor is ordering a test, ask what that test is for?  What are the benefits and if there are any risks?  Are there any alternatives?  Will you have to pay anything out of pocket? What is that test comes back showing 'something', what are the next steps? 

Label your healthcare provider as your friend as they are wanting you to have the best outcome.  However, you hold the greatest responsibility in this friendship since this is your body, your life, your livelihood.  Take charge of it now my asking questions.  Questions will make you very familiar with what's going on, boosting your confidence in caring for yourself.

www.mybloominghealth.com