Tips to prepare for your doctor visit

Whether for a regular check up or when ill, a doctor’s visit can create a stressful situation. Combining the stress with today’s rushed medical care, we don’t always remember on the spot what we want to or need to ask our doctor.

We also aren’t at our best regarding listening and understanding the information our doctor is relaying. This is especially true when it involves a lot of medical jargon and complicated instructions.

Helpful hints to maximize your time with the doctor

Make a list – Make a list of questions that you would like to ask the doctor or nurse and take it with you. Don’t forget to take a pen and paper with you to write down what the doctor is telling you and check it over.

Bring someone with you – If possible, take someone into the examining room with you or have them come in afterwards when the doctor is speaking with you. This can be a friend, family member or home care aide.

Update your doctor – Definitely tell your doctor about any medication changes you have or new medications you are taking. Ask how they interact with anything the doctor is about to prescribe. Ask about any side effects and what to do if you have side effects.

Get a clear understanding – Ask the doctor what to expect in terms of pain, length of discomfort, what is usual about your condition, what to look out for and what is unusual particularly in the first 2-3 days of treatment.

Ask for samples & Discounts for prescriptions – For prescriptions, ask for doctor’s samples from the pharmaceutical companies, generic brand names and any discounts he may know of from the companies.  Check the pharmaceutical company’s website for coupons or discounts.

Bring your pharmacy information – Give the nurse or office manager the name and number of your pharmacy to call the prescription in and save you time.

Information for Caregivers

If you are concerned about your loved one’s ability to manage medication properly, talk to their doctor. A simple plastic pill container is a very good way to lay out medication. Either weekly or monthly & can be found at any drug store. A pill container with an A.M. and P.M. compartment is recommended.

There are also many new gadgets which will remind and dispense medication doses effectively. If the person is cognitively impaired then a more secure plan may be called for or there may be a need for in home health care.  Keep in mind that, Medicare will cover an RN home visit for medication review and management.

Each individual person may react differently to medication and has different healing time frames. Some things may be routine for the doctor but not to you. It is your right and obligation to ask questions that pertain to your personal care and recovery.

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3. 4 Important Home Care Survival Tips