Keys to making more exam room time with the doctor:
Fifty years ago the usual 45 minute doctor appointment enabled time to undress and dress after the exam, go into the doctor's office for a nice discussion about your diagnosis and treatment, have him write out your prescriptions, and even shoot the bull a little.
Now, you barely have time with the doctor in the exam room, the nurse writes out the prescriptions (which he is supposed to sign), and you are lucky if the next patient isn't already pounding on your door to come in. Am I exaggerating? Nope.
Please don't give away these secrets: (Just kidding)
1. The disrobing dilemma.
2. Children in the exam room.
3. Timing of your discussion with the doctor.
4. Good intentions just don't hack it.
Anticipate any disrobing that you may have to do and put on the exam gown before the doctor comes into the room. Maneuvering around with clothing when the doctor is with you may use up at least a part of your discussion time.
New patients frequently want to talk to the doctor before they disrobe. Then the doctor steps out of the room to let the patient get into an exam gown or drape, thus wasting time that could have been used with the doctor. However, you gotta do what you gotta do!
Small children in the exam room are a profound distraction to you, as well as to the doctor and nurse. They cry, interrupt the conversation repeatedly, usually do not mind parental instructions anymore, walk around in the doctor's way, and create conditions where you don't quite hear what the doctor told you, or misinterpret what he said while focusing on the child not behaving.
If one has a desire to get the most value out of their doctor visit, they always have time after making their appointment to get a babysitter. Emergency visits are the exception. Now days' having small children in the exam room seems to be the standard. But, a reasonable person understands the trade-off they are making.
If a doctor had a choice, and they don't anymore, they would prefer not to have small children in the exam room. If I told you all the dilemmas and problems that I have had with small children in the OBG exam room, you would either be sympathetic or fall over backwards laughing.
There is a debate about whether it is better to blast the doctor with your questions as soon as he gets into the exam room, or to wait until near the end of the visit. Questions and discussions are better left till the end of the exam.
Because the symptoms and illness that you have are the source of your questions, the doctor is much better prepared to give you a complete and more accurate answer if he has already examined you.
Your intention should be to try and avoid the social interaction with the doctor and use that time to focus on your best medical care, but somehow it becomes an important process for you to be friendly and pleasant instead. Then do it! You may lose in one way and gain in the other.
That trade may be worth it in the long run. If you can just keep the socializing to a minimum, it certainly won't offend the doctor. You could make a longer appointment just for that reason, if need be.
Secrets that are valuable to know whenever you go to the doctor:
1.Medication samples.
2.Information handouts.
3.Checking what is in your medical chart.
4.Telephone use.
5.Computer use.
There used to be a time when pharmaceutical representatives hounded the doctor's offices, and were very promotional oriented. It meant that they were elated to pack the office closet with dozens of prescription medication samples.
If the office personnel didn't swipe them all, then most were given out to patients. It was a very decent thing to do for patients who had to pay out of their pockets for their medications.
Doctor's offices still obtain samples of prescription medications, but in limited supply. If you don't ask for medication samples, you won't be told that they are available. It can save you a bundle by simply asking for samples to see if they have them.
Patients have begun to believe that the only way to be satisfied about their illness diagnosis, treatment, and options is to educate themselves. Doctors usually will not take much time to give you more than a skimming of the important aspects of the subject matter. They now rely on midlevel medical providers to do that job for them, like nurse midwives, physician assistants, and other trained personnel. (Subject of another article)
If you notice the changes that have occurred in the last 10 years, doctor's offices are now overstocked with commercial brochures on various medical topics and illnesses. Read and heed. Patients now require more knowledge about every aspect of their afflictions. No one is going out of their way to educate you.
Thankfully, there are a few doctors left that do provide articles, written both by others and themselves, on pertinent medical topics. No one will take the time to tell you that they are available, so ask for any handouts that they have that are of interest to you.
If you haven't recognized it already, the more knowledge you have of your medical problems, the better results you will have from treatment and medical advice.
Patients now have a legal right to all the information in their medical records. Ask for copies of your record from the doctor's office or hospital. You may be charged a small copying fee per page, but having your own records at home is useful and valuable if the office records are lost. Really! Do offices or clinics ever lose records? Of course.
Reading your medical record will give you great insight into why you are being treated in a certain way, or what the doctor's real thoughts are about your illness. It will often induce considerably more trust in your doctor than you might have thought.
Use the telephone to your advantage. Once you know how your doctor's office responds to your calls, and who it is that calls back, you have the inside track for medical advice and information.
It will give you the opportunity to have medical questions answered that were avoided or forgotten at the time of your appointment. Find out what part of the day they commonly make call-backs, and be available.
Computers are a tremendous blessing for patients. Gradually, most patients are learning how to use them. In the near future, there will be no choice but to become computer literate. Not only does the Internet contain vast amounts of medical data and information at your fingertips on every topic and illness imaginable, but it has one more terrific advantage.
E-mail messages aren't just for social communications. Many medical offices now provide e-mail service on their own website. You can use e-mail to ask questions of the doctor, make appointments with your doctor, and avoid the usual "can you hold for a minute, please" response on the phone.
Dr. Graham has been published in Modern Physician, and has written medical articles for 30 years, as well as a book on Infertility. His 38 years in medical practice credentials him as an elite source of medical system advice and information.
Learn the effective strategies and tactics for obtaining much better medical care by going here: http://www.healthcare-toolbox.com
Copyright 2004-2010, L & C Internet Enterprises, Inc., Curtis Graham, MD., All Rights Reserved.
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