What You Need To Know To Get The Most Out Of Your Healthcare

Healthcare can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be!  The key to getting the most out of your healthcare is to get organized.  Gathering your thoughts, medical history, and medication history prior to an appointment with a healthcare professional will help you to get the best treatment.  Let’s begin!

Medical History

Take the time to create a log of your medical history.  This is one of the most important things you can share with your healthcare team in order to receive the best treatment.

• Family History.  If possible, talk with your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters about your family history.  Write down any history, such as stroke, heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes (type I or II), cancer (what type), thyroid disease, seizure disorder etc.  Include any mental illness that is familial.  This information will help your healthcare provider aid in your treatment.
• Past Medical History.  Make sure to tell your physician everything about your history.  Doing so will ensure that you get the proper treatment and testing.  Do not try to hide anything from your doctor.  He or she is here to give you the best care, so be honest.  Include depression and anxiety as part of your history.
• Past Surgical History.  If you have had any surgeries in your life, let your healthcare team know about it.  Even minor surgery, such as wisdom teeth extraction, is noteworthy.  Provide dates and outcomes.  If you had any adverse effects from anesthesia, make your doctor aware of it.
• Your healthcare professionals are also detectives.  They use this information to order the proper testing for diagnosis, treatment, and even prevention.

Medication History And Allergies

I cannot stress to you enough the importance of knowing not only what medications you take, but why you take them.

• Allergies and adverse effects.  Are you allergic to any medications?  Have you taken any medications in the past that you have had a negative reaction to?  Let your doctor know.  It’s also a good time to mention a latex allergy.
• Current medications.  Be sure to bring a list of current medications, including all vitamins and supplements, to your physician for the appointment.  This eliminates any confusion from the beginning.
• Purpose of the medication.  Why are you taking this medication?  What symptom or condition is it treating?  Is it effective?  Check out www.drugs.com if you are unsure about what your medication is used for.  Do your homework and be informed.
• Prescriber.  Who prescribed the medication and when?
• How long have you been on this medication?
• Do you feel your medication is effective in treating your condition?
• Are you having any side effects?

Keeping a log of medications you currently use as well as medications that you have tried in the past and the effects of each are extremely helpful for treatment.

Healthcare Records

Providing a copy of your medical records to each provider keeps your healthcare team on the same page.  This is getting easier with the EMR (Electronic Medical Record).  Oftentimes, many providers use the same EMR system and they can easily access your record (with your written permission, of course).

• Lab results.  Provide your healthcare team with your bloodwork results for the last year or so.  This provides them with a baseline, especially if you are seeing a new specialist or PCP (Primary Care Provider).
• Radiology results.  Whether you have had an X-Ray, CT Scan, Ultrasound, MRI, or all of the above, it is important that your doctor has the results.
• Cardiology test results.  If you have had an EKG or Echocardiogram, this is worth mentioning to your provider so he or she can obtain the report.
• Consults.  If you have had symptoms or a disease that required a specialist, such as a Neurologist, your doctor will want to see the report.  Not only will this information show the findings, but also what has been ruled out.
• Patient Portal.  With the introduction of the EMR comes the “Patient Portal,” which is an easy way for you to manage your healthcare.  Once you sign up, you will receive your blood work and test results electronically.  Inquire about this at your next visit!  Not only does it keep you informed of your test results and upcoming appointments, but it is also a great communication tool!  You can email your provider, request medication refills, and change your appointment.  All EMR’s are different, so not all of them will have the same features, but it is certainly worth checking into.

If you don’t have a copy of your records, don’t worry.  The doctor’s office can send for the records once you sign an authorization to release them.  Make sure you keep the names and telephone numbers of your healthcare providers to aid in getting the records promptly.  Your medical records are very important to assist your healthcare professional in your treatment.  When you provide your past course of treatment, it prevents wasting time and resources repeating tests.

Why Are You Seeing Your Healthcare Professional?

One of the most important questions you will be asked is “what are your concerns today?”  Be sure to come to the appointment prepared.

• Organize your thoughts on paper.  Many people get nervous at the doctor’s office for many reasons.  Having the list written ahead of time will help you stay focused when speaking to the nurse and later the doctor.
• Make a list of questions.  That way, you won’t forget to ask something that is important to you.
• Write down your symptoms.  Have you had any treatment for these symptoms?  Is the treatment working?  If not, say so!
• Bring a pen and paper along to write down what the doctor says.  Don’t be afraid to ask for an explanation in further detail or to have information repeated.  If you feel rushed, ask him or her to slow down.
• If you are seeing a specialist or you know you tend to get flustered at the physician’s office, take a spouse, adult child, or friend along.  Another person will likely remember what advice the doctor gives you, even if you forget.

Your healthcare professional will appreciate your coming to the appointment prepared.  It takes a lot of guesswork out of the visit and makes their job easier, resulting in the best treatment for you.

Being organized when you visit a member of your healthcare team will definitely help you to get the best care.  If you consistently feel rushed at your appointments, are not getting the answers you need, or are not being treated with respect, don’t be afraid to find another provider who is a better fit for you.  After all, it is your health that is at stake!  You are your own best advocate, so if something isn’t right, speak up.  If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Until Next Time,

April

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