<i>Be a smart patient!</i>
It is common in our daily practices to have 'hand-on-the-door-knob' patients who suddenly remember their main concern just as they are about to leave after the consultation. Some patients, minutes after leaving the chamber, return and tell — 'Sorry to bother doc, I just forgot to tell …'
Perhaps some of you may experienced the same sometimes. You got the prescription, driven home and then remembered an important point or question you forgot to mention or ask. Avoiding such situations, to get the best from your doctor, you need to be more prepared before you even step into the waiting room.
Don't delay
If you notice a physical or mental problem worrying you, make an appointment straight way making sure that you see your doctor as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse things could get. Make a list
Before you visit your doctor, it is a good idea to make up your mind what you want to tell your doctor or to think through all the information you believe your doctor needs to know. Write down your important symptoms, complaints and worries. Be specific. Make sure the list is concise and clear. Prepare a copy to give your doctor so that you may run through the list together. Take all important medical records
Take a list of all medications, even vitamins and/or herbs you take on a regular basis together. This is particularly crucial for a first visit. This is helpful for avoiding adverse drug interactions that might occur with medications your doctor will prescribe. Bring the important prescriptions of other doctors you might have seen previously and any the investigation reports. It is often helpful to keep photocopies of all previous records. Know your pedigree
Some diseases have a genetic link. It is important for prognosis and treatment to know about the presence of the diseases in your first-degree relatives. So, be informed about the illness of even your dead grandfather/ grandmother. Be prepared for a physical examination
A physical examination may be necessary. Be prepared in a way so that the doctor gets an easy access. Dress in clothes you can get in and out of quickly. A common trend is to wear long or tight-sleeved dresses which interfere in measuring blood pressure. Zips are quicker than buttons. Avoid undergarments that are going to embarrass you. Take a relative/friend
It is good to have a friend or family member with you rather than being alone. S/he will help you discuss your problems or remember important information that could be missed, give you moral support, help you make inquiries about your illness and your reports. Be sure that the person accompanying you knows you and your condition well. Ask if your doctor would mind more than one person being present in the room. Be honest
It is embarrassing to talk about problems with a complete stranger — it is natural to feel ignorant, scared and not in control. But do not feel you need to please the doctor or hide things. Even if you are uncomfortable admitting to unhealthy behaviours, it is imperative to tell your doctor the truth. Do not worry about shocking or embarrassing your doctor. Every week thousands of women who have trouble with sexual life visit a general practitioner or medicine specialist and complain of a headache or non-specific burning sensation or discomfort without saying what is really on their minds. If a doctor suggests something that would be hard for you to do, let him know so you can work out other arrangements. Get information, learn about the illness
Listen to what your doctor says. If you do not understand, or if you feel that s/he has not answered your questions, do not hesitate to ask again. If new prescriptions are written for you, ask the doctor to explain what they are, how they will help, dosage, possible drug interactions with anything else you are taking, etc. This is the time to ask all your questions including the possibility of any adverse reactions about any new medications. Ask for clarification of tests and their results. Ask for more detail on recommendations such as diet and exercise modifications. When first diagnosed, most people want more information. It is reasonable to quiz the doctor about health problems and fears. If the doctor is too busy for an in-depth conversation, then assistants are usually available to explain. If an assistant is not available, do not hesitate to ask the doctor. Now-a-days, doctors are not your only source of medical information. Books are the best way to build up a picture of any disease. But make sure the book is aimed at patients rather than at doctors. Some busy doctors may provide with a printed hand-out with the details of the disease. You may go through the Internet, but be cautious! Visit sites recommended by health professionals or hosted by respected organisations. Be realistic
Some people have the impression that all known ills can be cured; the truth is that medicine will always be a bit of a hit-and-miss affair. Any medicine is approved by the authority as it was seen effective in most or many patients through researches. As everybody is different anyway, the same medicine may not work for all. After a certain period, the medicines may have to be changed. Do not expect instant solutions. Changing your doctor
Sometimes people feel uncomfortable with a certain doctor. If your current doctor is not meeting your expectations, express your concerns. If no improvements follow, find another doctor. Doctor visits are facts of life. So why not make the visit a productive and fruitful one by advanced planning? Be a smart patient — get the best out of your doctor. E-mail: marufdmc@gmail.com
If you notice a physical or mental problem worrying you, make an appointment straight way making sure that you see your doctor as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse things could get. Make a list
Before you visit your doctor, it is a good idea to make up your mind what you want to tell your doctor or to think through all the information you believe your doctor needs to know. Write down your important symptoms, complaints and worries. Be specific. Make sure the list is concise and clear. Prepare a copy to give your doctor so that you may run through the list together. Take all important medical records
Take a list of all medications, even vitamins and/or herbs you take on a regular basis together. This is particularly crucial for a first visit. This is helpful for avoiding adverse drug interactions that might occur with medications your doctor will prescribe. Bring the important prescriptions of other doctors you might have seen previously and any the investigation reports. It is often helpful to keep photocopies of all previous records. Know your pedigree
Some diseases have a genetic link. It is important for prognosis and treatment to know about the presence of the diseases in your first-degree relatives. So, be informed about the illness of even your dead grandfather/ grandmother. Be prepared for a physical examination
A physical examination may be necessary. Be prepared in a way so that the doctor gets an easy access. Dress in clothes you can get in and out of quickly. A common trend is to wear long or tight-sleeved dresses which interfere in measuring blood pressure. Zips are quicker than buttons. Avoid undergarments that are going to embarrass you. Take a relative/friend
It is good to have a friend or family member with you rather than being alone. S/he will help you discuss your problems or remember important information that could be missed, give you moral support, help you make inquiries about your illness and your reports. Be sure that the person accompanying you knows you and your condition well. Ask if your doctor would mind more than one person being present in the room. Be honest
It is embarrassing to talk about problems with a complete stranger — it is natural to feel ignorant, scared and not in control. But do not feel you need to please the doctor or hide things. Even if you are uncomfortable admitting to unhealthy behaviours, it is imperative to tell your doctor the truth. Do not worry about shocking or embarrassing your doctor. Every week thousands of women who have trouble with sexual life visit a general practitioner or medicine specialist and complain of a headache or non-specific burning sensation or discomfort without saying what is really on their minds. If a doctor suggests something that would be hard for you to do, let him know so you can work out other arrangements. Get information, learn about the illness
Listen to what your doctor says. If you do not understand, or if you feel that s/he has not answered your questions, do not hesitate to ask again. If new prescriptions are written for you, ask the doctor to explain what they are, how they will help, dosage, possible drug interactions with anything else you are taking, etc. This is the time to ask all your questions including the possibility of any adverse reactions about any new medications. Ask for clarification of tests and their results. Ask for more detail on recommendations such as diet and exercise modifications. When first diagnosed, most people want more information. It is reasonable to quiz the doctor about health problems and fears. If the doctor is too busy for an in-depth conversation, then assistants are usually available to explain. If an assistant is not available, do not hesitate to ask the doctor. Now-a-days, doctors are not your only source of medical information. Books are the best way to build up a picture of any disease. But make sure the book is aimed at patients rather than at doctors. Some busy doctors may provide with a printed hand-out with the details of the disease. You may go through the Internet, but be cautious! Visit sites recommended by health professionals or hosted by respected organisations. Be realistic
Some people have the impression that all known ills can be cured; the truth is that medicine will always be a bit of a hit-and-miss affair. Any medicine is approved by the authority as it was seen effective in most or many patients through researches. As everybody is different anyway, the same medicine may not work for all. After a certain period, the medicines may have to be changed. Do not expect instant solutions. Changing your doctor
Sometimes people feel uncomfortable with a certain doctor. If your current doctor is not meeting your expectations, express your concerns. If no improvements follow, find another doctor. Doctor visits are facts of life. So why not make the visit a productive and fruitful one by advanced planning? Be a smart patient — get the best out of your doctor. E-mail: marufdmc@gmail.com
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