How to Make Your Doctor Visit Easier

Visits to your doctor or any healthcare provider can be frustrating and time consuming for all involved.  These are some things you can do to make it an easier and more productive.

One of the first things you want to do is make a written or typed medical history to take with you, especially if this is your first visit to a new doctor. Make a copy for you and your doctor. You both will be able to refer to it as needed. This will save valuable time, and give you and your doctor more time to talk instead of flipping through your medical record. It can be difficult trying to "remember" what test or procedure you had 10 years ago or even last year.

It is a good to make appointments when you are well and stable.  Keep a list of things you want to talk to your doctor about. Update the list before each visit. This way you will be able to keep track of what has been discussed, and what needs to be discussed. Try to talk about the most important things first especially those that need immediate attention. Each time you go for your visit, you can refer to your list and take up where you left off. Be sure to express your immediate concerns first. We all know how short a doctor visit can be.

Request copies of your medical records from all your doctors. "The medical record is the cornerstone of keeping track of everything pertaining to your health." This gives you a complete assessment of all your medical problems. You will be able to check the accuracy of your records, and bring any errors or absent information to your doctor's attention. Let your doctor know about anything you do not understand, or if there is something you are unable to read due to poor handwriting. It is surprising to see how many doctors are often unable to read their own writing.

Schedule your appointment for first available times in the morning or afternoon.*  This will likely ensure that you will be seen on time with a shorter wait time and longer visit.  It will help you and your doctor focus on your total health care versus acute, intermittent health concerns that can easily take up your whole time. Unless an emergency arises, the wait should be less than 15 minutes.  If there is an emergency you should be notified and given the option of waiting or rescheduling, or going elsewhere for treatment. 

The easiest thing you can do is be on time.  Best health!

*How to Make Your Doctor Appointment http://bit.ly/akMrpX

by J.L, Richardson, M.D., family medicine expert and author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide, honorable mention of Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Award** and Indie Excellence Award finalist.

(**Written by a reliable source, this book is the perfect quick reference for all of those squeamish people who hate going to the doctor. I am one of those people. I hate wondering why a certain test was performed, exactly what a common diagnosis may mean, what the proper specialist for my malady might be called, and negotiating the maze of health insurance forms and other paperwork that seems to accompany my ailment; thereby adding insult to injury. To avoid the mystery, misery, and tedium of the wellness process, I often remain sick in order to forego or delay much needed medical appointments. The author writes for people like me; she writes in a calming, professional tone and explains, in as simple and non-threatening a manner as possible, what I can expect along every step of the healing process. By learning to keep a medical diary, knowing what to expect of my medical staff as well as how to decode their complicated language, and then by understanding the basics of the complex American healthcare system, I can take charge of my own healthcare. This little book provides me with all the tools necessary to do just that. ~Writer's Digest)

Making the Most of Your Doctor Visit

When you go to your doctor or health care provider, you should be prepared.  This is one way you can be sure that your doctor visit focuses on your most important health issues. The following suggestions will help you get the most out of your doctor vist.

• Be on time.
• Make a list of things you want to talk to your doctor about. Update the list before each visit. This way you will be able to keep track of what has been discussed, and what needs to be discussed. Try to talk about the most important things first especially those that need immediate attention. Each time you go for your visit, you can refer to your list and take up where you left off. Be sure to express your immediate concerns first. We all know how short a doctor visit can be.
• Make a written or typed medical history* to take with you, especially if this is your first visit to a new doctor. Make a copy for you and your doctor. You both will be able to refer to it as needed. This will save valuable time, and give you and your doctor more time to talk instead of flipping through your medical record. It can be difficult trying to "remember" what test or procedure you had 10 years ago.
• Get copies of your medical records from all your doctors. "The medical record is the cornerstone of keeping track of everything pertaining to your health." You will be able to check the accuracy of your records, and bring any errors or absent information to your doctor's attention. Let your doctor know about anything you do not understand, or if there is something you are unable to read due to legibility. It is surprising to see how many doctors are often unable to read their own handwriting.
• Take advantage of the time your doctor takes looking through your medical chart during your visit by taking your own notes especially questions. As much as 1/3 of your visit time can be consumed by this alone.
• Allow each other to talk without interruption. 
• Bring a trustwothy companion.

Click on "Comments" below to add your tips or ask questions.


*medical history form http://www.mypatienthandbook.com/

How To Make Your Doctor Appointment

The doctor in charge of your overall care is
called a primary care physician (PCP). Your first
office visit with a new doctor is the most
important one. This is when you get to know
your doctor and supply information about your
medical background. This visit may be for a
specific problem or for a complete checkup (that
is, a complete physical exam—CPE).

For a specific problem, you might only get an
examination of your complaints, symptoms
(what is bothering you), and of other areas that
the doctor knows to check depending on your
symptoms. In this case, you are usually given a
later appointment (typically in two to six weeks)
for the CPE, but ideally you would have the CPE
on your first visit. It is a good idea to make an
appointment with your doctor while you are
well. This will help you and your physician focus
on your total healthcare more clearly and without
distraction.

Schedules usually have 15-, 30-, and 60-
minute time slots. The longer times are usually
for patients who need a CPE. When you call for
your first appointment, let the doctor’s office
know if that is what you want. That way you will
not be put in a 15-minute slot, the time usually
allowed for a routine visit. Doctors’ schedules can
be very frustrating for patients, doctors, and staff.
This can lead to longer waits and shorter visits.
Being on time is important for both patients and
doctors.

Unless an emergency arises, the wait to see the
doctor should be no longer than thirty minutes.
If there is an emergency, waiting patients should
be given the option of continuing to wait,
rescheduling, or going elsewhere for treatment. If
you really have to see the doctor, just be prepared
to wait, and pray that the magazines are up-todate.
You can bring your own items to read, your
laptop, a CD or tape player with earphones, or
you can strike up conversation with other
patients. Listening and talking with others in the
waiting room is a great way to gather and share
information. Also, take the time to observe. Take
a look around the doctor’s office and watch how
things take place.

Some of the many reasons for a doctor’s
“tardiness” include overbooking patients, double
booking (scheduling two patients at the same
time), “pre-booking” (scheduling appointments
before the doctor gets in), and emergencies. If
you belong to a managed healthcare plan like an
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), the
doctor usually has little, if any, say over the
schedule because success is equated with seeing
as many patients as possible. Also, the doctor
may be an employee. The doctor who works for
someone else cannot be solely blamed because
the staff also works for someone else.

Before managed care most doctors ran their offices and
hired employees themselves. This means that the
doctor was responsible for the whole office and
the way it was managed. If your doctor is an
employee and waiting is an issue, please let the
doctor, office supervisor, and health plan know
what has happened. The doctor will then be in a
position to let the employer know there is a
scheduling problem. This should help improve
wait time and any related problems.

Best health!

by J.L. Richardson, M.D., family medicine doctor and author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

www.mypatienthandbook.com
www.twitter.com/MD4U
www.blogtalkradio.com/drjfpmd

Tips for Your Doctor Visit

Going to the doctor can be quite a challenge. "Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide" is the perfect tool for patients to make their visits worthwhile.

One of the first things you want to do is make a written or typed medical history to take with you, especially if this is your first visit to a new doctor. Make a copy for you and your doctor. You both will be able to refer to it as needed. This will save valuable time, and give you and your doctor more time to talk instead of flipping through your medical record. It can be difficult trying to "remember" what test or procedure you had 10 years ago.

Start keeping a list of things you want to talk to your doctor about. Update the list before each visit. This way you will be able to keep track of what has been discussed, and what needs to be discussed. Try to talk about the most important things first especially those that need immediate attention. Each time you go for your visit, you can refer to your list and take up where you left off. Be sure to express your immediate concerns first. We all know how short a doctor visit can be.

Request copies of your medical records from all your doctors. "The medical record is the cornerstone of keeping track of everything pertaining to your health." You will be able to check the accuracy of your records, and bring any errors or absent information to your doctor's attention. Let your doctor know about anything you do not understand, or if there is something you are unable to read due to legibility. It is surprising to see how many doctors are often unable to read their own handwriting.

Stay on top of your health care with these tips. After all, great health is true wealth!

P.S. What tips do you have for doctor visits? Share your tips for doctor visits. Click on "comments".

http://www.mypatienthandbook.com/

Doctor Visit Tips

Going to the doctor can be quite a challenge. These tips will help you make the most of your doctor visit.

One of the first things you want to do is make a written or typed medical history* to take with you, especially if this is your first visit to a new doctor. Make a copy for you and your doctor. You both will be able to refer to it as needed. This will save valuable time, and give you and your doctor more time to talk instead of flipping through your medical record. It can be difficult trying to "remember" what test or procedure you had 10 years ago.

Start keeping a list of things you want to talk to your doctor about. Update the list before each visit. This way you will be able to keep track of what has been discussed, and what needs to be discussed. Try to talk about the most important things first especially those that need immediate attention. Each time you go for your visit, you can refer to your list and take up where you left off. Be sure to express your immediate concerns first. We all know how short a doctor visit can be.

Request copies of your medical records from all your doctors. "The medical record is the cornerstone of keeping track of everything pertaining to your health." You will be able to check the accuracy of your records, and bring any errors or absent information to your doctor's attention. Let your doctor know about anything you do not understand, or if there is something you are unable to read due to legibility. It is surprising to see how many doctors are often unable to read their own handwriting.

Stay on top of your health care with these tips. After all, great health is true wealth!

Click on "Comments" below and add your tips, and ask questions.

by J. L. Richardson, MD, author of "Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide", the perfect tool for helping you make your medical visits worthwhile.

http://www.mypatienthandbook.com - *medical history form on website. Click on this link.

Fiscal Physical Health of America

America's fiscal physical health is failing. You are part of that body. Have you done your part to make America healthy?

President Obama addressed this issue today. It is great to finally hear more things like "lower your premium" quality healthcare coverage. Health insurance premiums should be capped. What if everyone paid the same amount regardless of present, pre-existing, or future conditions?

Genome genetics will help us live longer and better, but it will also help insurers predict your pre-existing conditions. Your family history is an accurate predictor, but much less so.

Maintaining good health and prevention of disease are the top priorities in keeping America healthy. Early detection of disease makes America stronger. America's health team has the tools you need for medical maintenance. The best in the world, it is often said. It is up to you to build good health.

America's fiscal physical health is a team effort. Do all you can do to lower your chances of becoming a chronic disease liability.

Save you and your money. Put prevention first.


J.L. Richardson, M.D. is the author of the award winning book,
Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.
http://mypatienthandbook.com/

Patient Grievance

You arrive at your doctor's office for an appointment. You arrive at the scheduled time. You make your co-payment. You wait for 45 minutes before you are taken into the exam room. The doctor enters in a frenzied panic about 15 minutes later. He tells you that you must reschedule because there is not enough time for him to see you. After persistent banter back and forth, your "official" doctor visit begins.

Once the visit starts, there are multiple interruptions from the staff. The doctor does not have the results of your tests. He fumbles persistently through the chart ignoring your presence. You look over your list and move on to the second item while test results are being located. Another interruption puts these results in your doctor's hands. Since you have not heard about these tests done a month ago, you assume all is okay. You assume wrong again.

As the doctor comes to his senses and recoups his professional demeanor, you continue with your list of items to discuss. After 30 minutes you have it all together - copies of test results, prescriptions, and a plan for follow-up on all that is necessary. You are asked to schedule your next appointment in one month at the doctor's convenience. There is no one at the front desk to give you an appointment.

Doctor visits like this are far too common to ignore. In this instance, the patient had an abnormal test that would have been ignored for a longer time. The unprofessional encounter amplified the patient's stress and blood pressure. It may have been easier for the doctor for the patient to reschedule, but would it have been the right thing to do, and the best thing to do?

Doctors would you?
1) keep arguing with the patient until blood pressure reaches 160/120
2) blame the patient for waiting one hour to be seen
3) see the patient
4) see the 2 drug reps and make the patient reschedule
5) apologize for unprofessional rudeness.

Patients would you?
1) reschedule appointment
2) let the doctor know you were on time - deal with it
3) continue talking with doctor instead of wasting time
4) stand up for your rights
5) file patient grievance with insurance company, state medical board.

Filing a patient grievance/complaint is a smart thing to do. A grievance is a request for an investigation of a complaint about a possible risk to the health, safety, or well-being of a patient; or a situation where the patient is unnecessarily at high risk. Check with with your health insurance provider to find out the details for reporting unacceptable medical services that may threaten your life. In addition, it may save other lives as well since about 15% of JCAHO sentinel events reported are from responsible patients who speak up.

by J. L. Richardson, M.D., family physician, patient advocate (specializing in grievenace process and medical record review), patient, and author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide, and upcoming Patient Handbook to Surgery: Surviving Your Operation.