Be Appointment-Ready: Help Your Doctor Help You

Mary Johnson MBA, BSN, CMSRN

Appointment here we come!!

Your appointment day has arrived, and you sit down with your doctor. The visit seems quick, rushed. The doctor asks if you have any questions. You answer no, and the minute you get home, you realize in frustration that you did have a couple of questions.

You're not alone—many Americans feel rushed and unheard during doctor appointments. Most people agree that the healthcare system requires reform. While we can't fix it overnight, you can take action now to support your health and advocate for your family.

This article will share some tips and techniques that may make your doctor's appointment work better for you.

If you do not have a Primary Care Physician (PCP), find one. Your PCP helps you navigate the complex healthcare system and serves as the first stop to assess whether they can treat you directly or refer you to a specialist.

The American Journal of Medicine reports that although the number of Primary Care Physicians has declined, they continue to play a vital role in preventive care and initial diagnosis. They have also helped reduce Emergency Room visits—all of which benefits you as the patient.

Educate yourself and understand what preventative healthcare is available to you, and discuss with your PCP which may be most beneficial to you. If you have concerns or reservations regarding these suggestions, please discuss them with your doctor. If you decide not to follow the recommendations, please consider the potential consequences of disregarding them. If you do not believe that this is the type of frank conversation that you can have with your Physician it may be time to find another.

The term "healthy" is perceived differently by every individual. Being explicitly clear with your Physician about what healthy means to you can help them assist you in navigating your healthcare.

Most individuals seek to live independently, be able to breathe without struggle, walk with little or no assistance, enjoy eating, and urinate and have bowel movements naturally. By partnering with a Primary Care Physician, you likely can manage these goals for a lifetime.

Not all information on the Internet is accurate, so if you wish to educate yourself on various diseases, visit sites that have a proven track record of providing reliable information. Examples for Diabetes: The American Diabetes Association. For Hepatitis, the American Liver Foundation. Visiting these sites can help familiarize you with medical terms and lingo, so that when you talk with your doctor, you can listen instead of your brain attempting to grasp unfamiliar medical terms.

Accessing the Internet can help you formulate questions to ask your Physician if you have any questions or concerns.

This brings us to a crucial part of the doctor’s appointment—you. Come prepared with a list of questions, goals, or concerns. Recognize that your time with the Physician is limited, so prioritize your list and ask the Physician to review it with you. Taking this initiative helps you make the most of your visit.

Having proper expectations will also help make your visit to your PCP a better experience. They may start your appointment late. A patient before you may have had an emergency, and the doctor is human, and they may have had a situation to deal with. So have a touch of patience and grace, as you would likely wish for the same courtesy if the situation were reversed.

Your PCP offers suggestions and treatment options, but you are the captain of your ship—you decide what course to take. If you choose not to follow your PCP’s advice, ask what you can expect moving forward. Delaying treatment or ignoring recommendations can reduce your quality of life. Be sure to ask your PCP when inaction could lead to irreversible damage.

Lastly, bring someone with you to your appointment. A second set of ears can help catch important details and clarify what the doctor says. Moral support also makes navigating the healthcare system easier. Before you leave, ask for a written summary of the visit—either printed on the spot, mailed, or emailed to you—so you can review everything that was discussed.

You can use these strategies during visits with a PCP, a specialist, or even during a hospital stay. They help your doctor help you!

References:

(n.d.). American Journal of Medicine. https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(24)00163-3/fulltext

(n.d.). https://diabetes.org/

(n.d.). https://liverfoundation.org/

(n.d.). Patient Frustration Surges: Americans Struggle with Broken Healthcare System. MDVIP. https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/press-room/patient-frustration-surges-americans-struggle-broken-healthcare-system

(n.d.). The Impact of Online Health Information on Patient Health Behaviours and Making Decisions Concerning Health. National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7037991/

(n.d.). Tips for Talking With Your Doctor About Advance Care Planning. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/tips-talking-doctor-about-acp-worksheet.pdf

(n.d.). What Should You Do When Your Patient Brings a List? American Family Physician. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/issues/2009/0500/p23.html

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board