Make the Most of Your Medical Appt's with these 5 Easy Tips

Everyone knows how nerve-racking it can be to schedule a doctor’s appointment, wait in the waiting room for what feels like forever, and get called back and brought to another room to continue to wait for the doctor. Finally, the doctor comes in; you quickly try to explain your reason for the appointment, answer a couple of the doctor’s questions, a quick exam is done, a prescription for medication might be discussed, then you are directed to the front desk to pay for said appointment.

Was that a whirlwind of a five-minute appointment? Did you have all your questions answered? Did it leave you feeling frustrated, confused, and asking yourself, what just happened?

Hopefully, this hasn’t happened too often; however, if this has happened to you, let’s discuss how you can get the most from your next appointment with your physician. After all, we deserve more than 5 minutes, and we probably have a few questions that we need answers to. We want guidance and reassurance—comfort and understanding of what is happening to us and what the future may hold for us.

So, let us talk about strategy. First, we might research the related health information to help plan the best way to address our concerns. Next, we can prepare for an appointment by documenting what we are going through and how it makes us feel by creating the story of the medical events in our life.

Information that may be helpful might include the following:

• Physical symptoms (aches or pains with a location & duration of time)

• Emotional feelings (frustrations, tension or stress & potential triggers)

• Alternative Helpers (things you did to relieve symptoms)

Now equipped with information, you can help tell the story that may be impacting your impedance to a healthier you. Next, you may have questions you need to be answered before leaving that office that you so patiently waited to get into.

How do you control your appointment? How do you get your questions answered? How can you be prepared to get the most from your appointment?

Let’s dive in…

• Ask questions! Having a pre-written list of questions may help you stay on track. It may also help to mark each question off as it is answered, especially if you have more than one concern.

• Ask for patient education pamphlets or material you can reference. This way, you can have something to read over later.

• Having someone accompany you if possible. They may catch something you didn’t hear during the visit.

• Re-state back to the physician any information you heard but did not understand. This allows for clarification and a better understanding for you.

• Be diligent. After all, this is your appointment. It would help if you felt you were being heard, understood, and directed with proper medical advice. If you feel rushed, let them know you need a minute to understand what they are saying before they start talking about the next subject.

The bottom line for a successful appointment is to feel that you have accomplished your goal of gaining the knowledge you need to better your health. You leave with your questions answered and a feeling of a well-balanced appointment. One in which you had a reciprocated conversation with the physician and agreed on the best options for your care.

Please drop us a note in the comments section below and share some of your favorite tips for navigating appointments.