1. When making an appointment with a doctor, ask the right questions
It is essential to understand how to make a doctor’s appointment. Healhcare.gov has recommendations which include:
- Tell the doctor that you are a new client
- Make sure to let the person who is making the appointment know why it is important for you.
- Inform your doctor about the type of insurance you have.
- Ask your doctor if you have any medical records that you need to bring.
The medical staff will be able to determine how quickly you can get in to see a doctor, and how long it will take to schedule your appointment.
2. You can make a list of all the things you would like to discuss with your doctor
To avoid anxiety causing you to forget what you want to discuss with the doctor, it is a good idea to list all your health concerns. You might have one particular concern or several. You might be concerned about:
- Perhaps you have headaches after sustaining a sports injury.
- Are experiencing back pain and dizziness;
- Chronic fatigue
- You are concerned about your family’s history of a medical condition such as osteoporosis.
Although symptoms may be unrelated, it is important to give the doctor all the information possible in order to determine the best approach to diagnosing the problem.
Your list might be shorter if it’s a routine visit to establish a relationship with your doctor for regular checkups or other illnesses. However, it is important that you think about the reasons for your doctor’s visit and what you want from the visit.
3. Collect the information and other items you will need to take with you
It is important to know what you should bring to your doctor’s appointment in order to maximize the time we have together. These are the things you should bring:
- Here are some questions you can ask your doctor
- Insurance cards
- Medical history
- A list of medications with dosage, type and amount
4. Take note during your appointment
It’s easy to forget what the doctor said during the visit. It is a good idea to take notes on your phone or on a notepad. This can be done during or right after the visit. You may also ask your doctor for written information, such as notes or supporting informational brochures.
This article was written by a medical professional at Florida Medical Pain Management. https://www.fmpm.com/ is proud to offer comprehensive pain management services to a diverse group of patients. Patients at Florida Medical Pain Management can get help managing hip, knee, leg, and neck pain. The practice also offers comprehensive arthritis management, along with treatments for auto accidents, sports, and work injuries.
