How to Make the Most of Your Next Doctor’s Appointment

Publishee in All About Seniors Winter/Spring 2021 Edition

By Teresa Parker, RN owner of RN4U

Going to a doctor’s appointment can be tend to be a bit stressful for the average person.  After all, physicians are looked upon as experts and oftentimes patients can get a bit anxious around their doctor and/or nurse.  But it is so important for patients to try not to feel intimidated by medical staff.  Medical personnel including physicians are just ordinary people with medical expertise working to offer their assistance and knowledge to you.

Today, physicians have more and more responsibilities placed on them from their employers and insurance companies alike.  In addition, in recent years we have seen the birth of the EHR or Electronic Health Record.  It appears that some physicians spend more time completing information for the patient’s EHR on the computer than actually time in a face-to-face examination with the patient.  The average physician appointment today lasts approximately fifteen minutes and sometimes even less.

With all of the responsibilities that physicians have and the limited appointment times they have with patients, it is easy to see how medical errors can be made.  Physicians and their practices are taking precautions to make sure patients are safe, but they also realize that patient safety is a two-way partnership.  Patients must be involved in their own care.  Human error is inevitable but there are steps patients can take to help protect themselves.

So what can you do as a patient?  The following tips can help you make the most of your next appointment with your physician:

1. Write down your top three concerns in order of importance. With all healthcare appointments being limited in time these days, it is important for all consumers to be prepared.  Make a list of your concerns while at home and unrushed so that when you are face-to-face with your physician you will not forget anything of importance.  And you might be surprised at how excited your doctor is over your organizational skills!

2   Always be open and honest with your physician.  Your doctor is your ally, but can only help you if he or she knows the truth about your health.  Some patients tell their doctor what they think he or she wants to hear, but this will do nothing for their health.  Being honest is imperitive so that your doctor can make recommendations for your best care based on YOUR health.  Only then can you have a first-class doctor-patient relationship.

3. Stick to the Point. It can be very easy to spend your entire physician appointment on one issue or even in idle chit chat discussing your new grandchild or last vacation, but it is really important to remain focused and pay attention to the clock.  Otherwise, time quickly passes and your doctor will soon be ready to move on to the next patient while you still have unanswered questions.  It is important to remember that you can always make a follow-up appointment to return should additional concerns remain and/or follow-up by telephone or portal if you are signed up for such.
4. Make sure you understand the treatment plan before you leave the office. Once your doctor has discussed your concern(s) and possible treatment(s), be sure to repeat the treatment plan before the physician leaves the room and how you will follow it.  This is the time to ask any questions if you do not understand.  If the treatment plan is complicated be sure to ask your physician to write it down so you can take it home for reference.
5. Bring an advocate with you to the appointment. If at all possible bring an advocate to your healthcare appointment to serve as a second set of eyes and ears.  This person can be a friend, family member or a private, professional advocate whom you trust.  Be sure to introduce the advocate to your doctor in the beginning of the appointment so he/she knows this person is there for support.  Allow your advocate to listen and take notes so that important information is not missed.  An advocate can help protect against medical errors.

When it is time for your next doctor’s appointment and you feel your anxiety start to build, be sure to remember that you, the patient, are the one in charge and to take a deep breath, relax and remember the five tips above to making the Most of Your Doctor’s Appointment!

Teresa D. Parker is a Private Professional Patient Advocate and owner of RN4U.  Teresa has been a Registered Nurse for 34 years; she has a BSN and MEd with a Specialty in Guidance & Counseling and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.  Her nursing career has included multiple areas of nursing including critical care nursing, public health, school nursing, legal nurse consulting, and patient advocacy.

Teresa D. Parker is a Private Professional Patient Advocate and owner of RN4U.  Teresa has been a Registered Nurse for 34 years; she has a BSN and MEd with a Specialty in Guidance & Counseling and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.  Her nursing career has included multiple areas of nursing including critical care nursing, public health, school nursing, legal nurse consulting, and patient advocacy.