One of the most important relationships you will ever have is with your primary care provider. As with any relationship, good communication is essential, so knowing how to prepare for a doctor visit in advance will help you reduce anxiety and improve the quality of your health care.
To follow are some quick tips on how to prepare for your next doctor's appointment:
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5-10 Minutes
Here's How:
- Leave early for your appointment so that you will be on time. It is amazing how one person's tardiness can ricochet, causing everyone else to have to wait, too. Being courteous will pay off in the long run.
- Catch up on your reading while you wait for your appointment by bringing your favorite book or magazine. Don't like to read? How about doing a crossword puzzle or some knitting? This will help pass the time and keep you from getting frustrated about long waits.
- As you think about what questions you want to ask your doctor, write them down. Don't rely on your memory while in the exam room. Putting questions on paper in advance will ensure that you don't forget anything important. Not sure of what questions to ask or having difficulty making the list yourself? Ask a family member or friend to assist you.
- As the doctor is responding to your questions, take notes. If you find note-taking difficult, have someone come with you who can take notes for you. If you aren't able to find someone to do this, bring a tape recorder to the visit so that you don't miss important information. Be sure to ask the doctor's permission before tape recording him to make sure he is comfortable with the idea. Also bear in mind that a tape recorder should not replace good listening skills.
- Is your doctor using language that you don't understand? Don't be afraid to ask him to explain it using simpler terms. Sometimes doctors are so used to talking to their colleagues that they forget that their patients did not go to medical school.
- If your doctor prescribes a new medication, ask him to explain the drug to you in detail, including its potential side effects.
- Ask your doctor to keep you informed about new treatment options or clinical studies related to COPD. If you are Internet savvy, research related topics online before your appointment and include relevant questions in your list.
What You Need:
- Book, magazine, crossword puzzle book or knitting equipment
- Pen and paper
- Tape recorder with working batteries, only if you plan to use this method
- Source:
- Shimberg, Elaine. Coping with COPD. St. Martin's Press. 2003.
