Have
you ever gone to a doctor appointment, only to leave and forgot to
ask questions or forgot what was told to you at your appointment?
Well, you're not alone. Most appointments last, (or are scheduled)
for only 15 minutes, and you usually have to cram as many questions
and receive suggestions, prescriptions and additional information to
act upon. Unfortunately, a lot of this is forgotten as soon as you
get home. It's not that you've intentionally forgotten it, it's that
a lot is done in a short amount of time, and you're not wired to
recall that much information. I too have experienced this
first-hand; not only after working in a medical office for several
years, but as being the child of an aging parent who easily gets
facts confused.
I
have come up with a list of suggestions to make your appointment
easier for both you and your doctor.
Carry
a medical notebook with you
On the first section,
write down your name, address, phone number, emergency contact
information and insurance name. Include illnesses, previous
surgeries, and all your prescriptions that you take and any
allergies that you have. Make sure you include the milligrams,
(strength) and how often you take it. Also note which provider
prescribed it for you. Also include a list of vaccinations that you
had and the date you had them. Next, include important family
history that your doctor should be aware of. Now, make a list of
all your providers, including their names, specialty, address and
phone numbers.
Make
a list of your appointments and who you see
This
should resemble the list of chapters in a novel, but you keep adding
to it with each appointment.
Keep
a separate section for each provider that you see
Write (again) the providers name, address, and phone number at the
top of their section. Always write a date and time of appointment
for each visit. Keep it in chronological order, just like you would
do with a diary. In the provider section, write down any questions and answers that
you have when you have an appointment. Make sure you include any
changes and tests that have been ordered. Also attach any copies of
orders or records that they have given to you that day.
Hopefully this will give you some ideas on what will help you gain the most from your medical appointments for both you and your providers. I know that it's been a big help for both myself and my family members.
