Healthy Edge
PEP — Prepare. Engage. Perform: Get the most from your doctor
Doctors’ appointments can be unnerving. They’re short, sometimes overwhelming, and you may leave confused. Here are some tips to empower you at “those” appointments, helping you live longer and stronger.
Today, more than ever, the doctor-patient relationship is a partnership. As patients, we need to hold up our end of the bargain and remember that we know ourselves best.
Model patients monitor their health daily, prepare for appointments, aren’t afraid to ask questions and keep their doctors up-to-date regarding their conditions.
By being a model patient you can experience enjoyable and effective doctor’s visits and improve your health outcomes. Of course, your doctor has to hold up his or her end of the bargain too.
Here’s how to be a model patient.
BEFORE APPOINTMENTS: PREPARE
You know to take your medications, exercise, socialize, eat nutritiously and follow your doctor’s instructions. But, did you know you should:
Create a health questions list. Anytime you think of a medical concern, jot it down. Keep a symptoms journal. Document any symptoms — pain, fatigue, rashes, slow-healing wounds, increased/decreased appetite, funky moles, you name it. Be specific about the symptom’s sensation, location, onset, end time, frequency and severity. Also record your activity at the time.
Keep a diet journal. This is especially important if you have diet-sensitive conditions. Examples are hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes. Tweaking your food and drink can often decrease your meds and improve your condition.
Days before the appointment:
With a loved one’s help, review/prioritize your health questions.
Link symptoms to the corresponding concerns.
Develop a concise opening statement describing/ prioritizing your concerns/symptoms.
Take these materials to the appointment. How many times do you leave the doctor thinking, “I forgot to ask (fill in the blank)”? If possible, send relevant information to your doctor via fax or e-mail ahead of time.
DURING THE APPOINTMENT: ENGAGE
Bring a loved one. Loved ones serve as health advocates who help clarify and recall discussions between you and your doctor. They often ask important questions that weren’t on your radar.
Bring a recorder. Tell your doctor ahead of time that you will record your appointment because you don’t want to forget a thing.
Give your opening statement. It will allow you and your doctor to manage your time together effectively.
Clearly explain your pain. How and where you experience pain often reveals its cause and where to refer you.
How to describe pain:
Rate its severity on a scale of 1 (mild pain) — 10 (doubled over; can’t speak).
Point to the painful areas while describing them.
Identify the accompanying sensations. Is the pain sharp, dull, superficial, deep, burning, radiating?
Give a clear picture. Your doctor must know everything about your treatment regimen: medications; supplements (include herbs, antioxidants, and vitamins); activities; and other providers’ recommendations.
Let your doctor know what you know. Did you gather information from other doctors, the Internet, or friends? Your doctor can help you process the information to avoid confusion or clear up misconceptions.
Discuss only health concerns. Need directions to the lab that draws blood? Ask the staff. Want to complain about your wait? Fill out a complaint form or contact the doctor later.
Don’t be embarrassed. Yes, some symptoms and medication side effects embarrass us, but your doctor won’t judge you.
Manage doctors’ interruptions. If your doctor butts in as you’re asking a question or explaining a symptom, politely ask or signal to him or her to let you finish. Doctors have been shown to interrupt patients within 20 seconds — often missing valuable information.
Show interest in your health. Actively engaged patients receive more information from doctors.
Make your doctor break it down. If your doctor uses terms you don’t understand, or talks too fast, let him or her know. Ultimately you will suffer if you’re confused.
Have your expectations satisfied. Your doctor should discuss anticipated outcomes and how they might affect your lifestyle.
Have your doctor summarize his or her advice at the end. Do you ever leave the doctor’s office confused about what to do because so much was discussed? Get the “take home” messages concerning your treatment plan.
AFTER THE APPOINTMENT: PERFORM
Get more info. Perform your role by staying informed about your condition and emerging treatments. Ask the staff for education materials and pertinent organizations’ contact information.
If possible, correspond by fax/e-mail. These are convenient ways to handle unanswered questions or discuss discoveries that could help you.
Comply. Most importantly, follow your doctor’s instructions.
If doctor visits aren’t more comfortable and informative using these tips, or if your doctor is hard to talk to, consider finding another physician. But first, be direct (yet polite) and discuss your concerns with your provider. Good things might happen.
Kendra Siler-Marsiglio, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist,
medical writer and VP of the WellFlorida Council Board of Directors.
