As we age, office visits to our health providers will inevitably become more numerous. With today’s average of 15-20 minutes allotted for doctor visits, it behooves us to become our own best patient advocates.
Wall Street Journal’s Life & Arts writer, Sumathi Reddy, wrote, “Get the Most Out of a Trip to the Doctor’s: Eight strategies to be the best patient; how to ask questions and get results.” The below are Reddy’s suggested tips when at the doctor’s office.
1. ASK QUESTIONS. Doctors recommend patients list questions in order of importance on a sheet of paper so as not to exclude important patient data from being discussed.
2. MIND THE TIME. With your limited time, don’t waste it talking to your doctor about “chit-chat.” Be courteous and call ahead to your physician’s office if you are going to be tardy or need to cancel. Also, to limit your waiting time, ask for the first appointment of the day or the first after the health provider’s lunch break.
3. BRING YOUR MEDS. Because so many of us seniors see a multitude of health care providers, it is now more crucial than ever to bring our actual pill bottles with their original labels to our medical visit. This includes herbal and over-the-counter meds. One change in a medicine can make a big difference in the treatment of the patient. Double-checking the dosage and making sure no error has occurred by way of the doctor or pharmacist is crucial.
4. TAKE NOTES. Again with our often-limited senior memories in place, it becomes important to write down important details learned at the provider’s office.
5. TELL THE TRUTH. Difficult topics, such as eating and exercising habits, sexual activities, and following prescription advice, might cause us to eliminate these subjects from our patient-doctor conversation. Instead, ask for advice in these matters, as well. In addition, make sure you tell your physician all symptoms you are experiencing for an illness, even those you might not feel are important to his/her knowledge.
6. BRING A FRIEND. Sometimes a relative or friend can become a worthwhile companion at an appointment revealing a tough test result. Your acquaintance can help give you morale support when needed. Kristi Buckman of Lake In The Hills, who visited numerous doctors in her effort to restore her health recently, explains that “When you are struggling with health issues, it helps to have someone who can ask the right questions for you. They can also drive you to the appointment when you are ‘under the weather.’”
7. BE REALISTIC. Sometimes the patient has not reached a physician’s dictated goal before the next appointment. Do go to the doctor appointment asking the physician instead for further explanation on how to accomplish a more realistic goal for your future treatment plan. Buckman definitely agrees with this suggestion: “Make your next appointment when in the doctor’s office and don’t try to chintz out on your body’s health.”
8. BY THE WAY. As mentioned in the author’s first tip, it is so important that you put that most difficult issue to discuss first on your written list so that your health aide will give you enough time to hear her/his guidance on the matter.
