Medically Reviewed by Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH on January 27, 2020 No matter how much you love your doctor, it’s likely that once you don that gaping gown and hop on the exam table, you hope for a visit that’s as quick and easy as possible. Though some things like wait times and exam wear may be out of your control, there are a few things you can do to help your time at the doc go smoothly. Set yourself up for success early in the game: Be clear about why you’re coming and what will happen at the visit. It starts when you call to make your appointment. “In a doctor's mind, there's a very significant difference between a well visit, which is preventative, and a problem visit,” says Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, MD, the family medicine residency program director at the Duke Department of Community and Family Medicine. Not only are the two billed differently (depending on your insurance, a well visit may be free, while a problem visit typically comes with a co-pay), but they also take up different amounts of your doctor’s schedule. When you call the scheduler, ask: “If you call and tell the receptionist you have a sore throat, usually you're going to be in a 10-15-minute time slot,” says John Meigs Jr., MD, board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “But if you come in with 14 other complaints, you’ll leave feeling like you didn’t get everything out of me that you came for, and we’ll both leave frustrated.” You’re the expert on you. But your doctor is also an expert -- one who trained for many years in medicine. Be an advocate for yourself, but also listen. “People sometimes want to give you their diagnosis instead of their symptoms,” Meigs says. It’s OK to clarify and raise concerns you have, but demanding certain tests or medicines may hold up treatments that could really help you. “It’s give and take,” says Russ Blackwelder, MD, assistant professor at the Medical University of South Carolina. “Don't dominate your visits, and don't let your physician dominate your visits.” He says if you don’t feel like you’re an active part of your visits, that may be a sign you need a different doctor. “If your provider is doing all the talking, then just prescribing medicine without taking time to listen, that’s a red flag.” Don't be afraid to make a change and see someone who’s a better fit for you. Does diabetes run in your family? How about high blood pressure? Rheumatoid arthritis? Other chronic conditions? If you don’t know, it’s time to ask around. It’s most important to know the health histories of your direct family members, but grandparents and others may also come into play, Martinez-Bianchi says. Ask your doctor for a list of conditions to research in your family’s past, then write down the answers and bring them with you to your visit. If your family tends to be private about its health, you may have to have a few awkward conversations. If they’re more open, start paying attention. “Some families get together for Thanksgiving dinner and everybody talks about their medical problems over turkey,” Meigs says. If that’s the case, take notes -- it’s for your health! Your doctor needs to know which medications you’re taking, including any over-the-counter meds and supplements. It'll help uncover possible interactions or side effects, and a snapshot of the types of treatments you’ve already got going in your system. And your best guess won’t cut it. “Don't just tell me you take the little blue pill and the little white pill,” Meigs says. His tip: Bring your medications with you to your appointment. Don’t want to tote a bag full of pills in public? Take a picture of your prescription bottles with your smartphone. That way, your doctor will have all the info they need in a quick glance, including dosage and whether you’re due for a refill. Honesty is the best policy, and there’s nowhere that’s truer than with your doctor. “When the exam room door closes, we want to know people as they really are,” Blackwelder says. In order for that to happen, you have to let go of any awkwardness you feel and tell your doctor your whole health story. “Trust me, whatever you tell me, I've heard worse,” Meigs says. “People are people. I'm just here to help.” Opening up about symptoms and conditions can be hard for some cultures or after certain experiences, Martinez-Bianchi says. But it’s an important -- sometimes life-saving -- barrier to push past. “I’ve had [folks] who knew they had HIV but didn't tell me, and so years of treatment were lost. HIV is a controllable condition, not a death sentence -- but only if you get the appropriate treatment.” Bottom line: A good doctor will never think less of you because of the conditions you have. Being up front will help you get the care you need and deserve. “We became physicians because we want to help,” Blackwelder says. “Don't be afraid to let us try.”  1. When you call to make your appointment, explain clearly why you need to see the doctor. Let the receptionist know how much time you will need to schedule for the visit. If you have any special needs, such as wheelchair access or interpretive needs, let the office know in advance. 2. Be sure to that where you make your appointment accepts your insurance. You can call or go online to your insurance website to see a directory of in-network providers. 3. If this is your first visit to a new physician, gather together any past medical records and family medical history to take along with you. If you’re seeing other doctors and have information they’ve provided, bring this along too. 4. Write down a list of your symptoms before the visit. It’s a good idea to keep a diary so you can chart your symptoms over time. Include details of the type of symptoms you are experiencing, when these symptoms began, and what makes them better or worse. Use this common medical mnemonic to guide you. (O)-P-Q-R-S-T
5. Set the agenda at the start of your visit. Did you know that a patient has an average of 23 seconds to state their concerns before a physician interrupts? According to an article published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, only 28% of doctors know their patient’s full spectrum of concerns before they begin to focus on one particular concern, and once the conversation is focused, the likelihood of returning to other concerns is only 8%. Doctors have a limited amount of time for office visits. In order to use their time wisely they usually set the agenda and control the visit as much as possible. To avoid this happening to you, prepare in advance the top two or three concerns you want to raise with your doctor. Are you looking for a diagnosis? Do you need a new treatment plan or a modification of an existing plan? Are you looking for help with feelings of fatigue or depression? Don’t forget to describe your emotional state and any personal circumstances which may influence your physical health. Write down your main concerns so you are ready to verbalize them clearly at the beginning of your visit. 6. If you use a self-tracking device, like a Fitbit, download your data and summarize the findings beforehand. 7. Bring a list of all medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, or supplements. If you have a smart phone or tablet, it’s useful to take pictures of your medication and supplement labels to show the doctor. 8. During your visit, tell your doctor you would like to take notes. If you would prefer to record your notes via your smartphone, ask your doctor if it is ok to do so. 9. Medical care is a conversation. So to have influence in that conversation you have to speak up. If you don’t want the treatment your doctor recommends (or you’re not sure), it’s reasonable to ask if there are other treatment options available. Never be embarrassed to tell your doctor if you don’t understand something she has said. Sometimes doctors use medical jargon without realizing they are not explaining things in terms we understand. Repeat what the doctor has told you to be sure you understand and ask for clarification if needed 10. If you find it difficult to speak up for yourself, or you are facing a potentially challenging diagnosis, bring a friend or family member along for support. This person can also take notes and help you remember what was discussed later. 11. Always be honest with your doctor. You may not like to admit how much you drink, or smoke, or if you have stopped taking your medication because of expense or side effects, but your doctor needs to know about these and other lifestyle matters to ensure you are receiving optimum care. 12. Ask you doctor to explain any test results to you, Request a copy of the results for your own files. 13. Before you leave, be sure you understand what needs to happen next. Do you need any further diagnostic tests? When will you get the results? If you have just received a diagnosis, what are your treatment options? If you have questions or concerns later how should you contact your doctor? You can also ask if your doctor recommends any specific reading materials or websites about your condition. 14. If you have been given a prescription for a new medication, do you understand how and when the medication should be taken? Are there any side-effects, for example drowsiness, you should watch for? How will you know if the medication is working? What happens if you miss a dose? 15. After your visit, review and file your notes along with any test results or other documentation and billing you received. Schedule any follow up tests or appointments right away. Your relationship with your doctor is one of the most important you have. Advance preparation will help you use your own time and your doctor’s time more efficiently and effectively. When people take an active role in their care, research shows they are more satisfied and do better in how well treatments work. Preparing for your doctor’s visit is an important step toward becoming a partner in your own health care and a better advocate for your health and well-being. A Stanford Medicine X e-Patient scholar, Marie Ennis O’Connor is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, writer, and consultant on global trends in patient engagement, digital health and participatory medicine. Marie’s work is informed by her passion for embedding the patient voice at the heart of healthcare values. She writes about the experience of transitioning from breast cancer patient to advocate on her award-winning blog Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer. |
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