Introduction:
Aggravated? Are you just plain tired of putting up with not having enough time with your doctor? You had a dozen questions to ask and he or she only answered 4 of them. Even following the doctor out into the hall with your gown on, and yelling that you had a lot more concerns to discuss, would only embarrass you and mark you as a belligerent patient.
Yes, there are some unique and appropriate ways to meet your needs without resorting to nasty phone calls, or responses. Aren't you relieved, even just a little bit, to hear those words? Now, can you believe them? This advice is given free. Take it for what it's worth from a patient advocate.
Have You Been Shortchanged?
The 45 minute wait to see the doctor, and 8 minutes with the doctor, does not seem worth it, at times. If you are writhing in pain, there is no alternative. When your problem is that severe, any good office assistant would immediately have the doctor see you. Routine doctor visits, for whatever medical reason, are at the root of the problem.
It takes a bit of understanding by the medical patient as to how the "short" doctor visits have come about in the practice of medicine. It may not excuse it. But, as with many things, if you know why something is happening, it is more acceptable and tolerable. Is the doctor ill? Was he suddenly called to the emergency room to see an injured patient of his?
Powerful Visit Strategies:
1. Put your plan in writing.
2. Make a list of all of the prescription medications.
3. Fill out the history form in detail.
4. Prioritize your written questions.
5. Avoid small talk.
Studies have shown that the average actual time spent with the doctor in the office is 8 minutes. A typical office visit with the doctor is interrupted within the first 27 seconds of her being in the room with you. This tells you that you either plan the time to be used efficiently, or be disappointed.
What can you do to plan? Use strategy in making your appointment (see below). Make notes of all your symptoms described in good detail to be handed to the nurse or medical assistant. In the exam room it is easy to forget certain bothersome symptoms. Be sure to arrive "on time" for your appointment. If the patient scheduled ahead of you cancelled, then you may be moved directly into the exam room.
The conflicts and interactions of medications prescribed today are immense. A detailed list of your prescription medications, doses, and how you take them is critical. Most patients cannot remember all this, especially if they are on many medications. Carry a listing with you at all times.
In an emergency you may not be conscious to tell the doctor. Your marital partner and your children, often do not know what you take. Hand the list to the nurse in the exam room, as it saves lots of time for her to record them separately.
Be very detailed in the information you put on the chart history form. Doctors often scan that before entering the exam room. Keep it updated for your doctor. You have no idea how important that the medical history is for doctors to evaluate a symptom, prescribe a medication (are you allergic?), and make a compliant diagnosis on the spot.
Prioritize your questions as to importance to you on that sheet of paper. If there is not time to get to them all, at least you will have covered the critical ones. Remember that you can schedule another visit to complete your list of questions later.
Make a decision for yourself not to use up a large part of your time with the doctor talking about his or your vacation or hobbies. Make up your mind that medicine is not like the old days where the old doctor and you were friends as well as being a patient. To find a doctor like that today, is like finding a pot of gold. Remember, his patients may have a very long wait in the waiting room while you talk about old times.
Practical Appointment Strategies:
1. Types of medical office scheduling.
2. Picking best time for your appointment.
3. How to handle interrupted appointments.
4. Learn how to bend the rules.
Which one of the three common appointment scheduling techniques that an office uses, is really dependent upon how efficient each doctor adapts to that particular system. Timed appointments, wave scheduling, and walk-in appointments allow for the best patient flow pattern for that one office.
Wave scheduling is the most misunderstood technique. Appointments for a small or large group of patients are made for the same time of day. This follows the idea that some patients arrive early, some arrive on time, and some are always late. Neat huh? Whoever signs in first gets seen first.
Always try to pick a time when interruptions are less, when delays are less likely to occur, and when efficiency is best. How in heck do you find that out? Just think about the following common occurrences.
For most doctors there are certain times of the day that they become occupied outside the office. They make rounds on hospitalized patients before office hours. Many hospital committee meetings are held early in the morning (7:00 to 9:00 AM). Department meetings, lectures, and medical education meetings often are scheduled over the lunch time--so they can eat and learn at the same time.
You guessed it! Doctors get out late from the meetings very often, and therefore are late getting back to the office. So make your appointments mid to late morning, after the doctor has ripped through the first few patients to catch up. Now he can be with you for the full appointment time, and he can make the noon meeting on time, 12:00 noon. Make your appointments mid to late afternoon for all the same reasons.
Evening meetings, hospital rounds, medical record chores are also done in the evening after office hours, and at the doctor's more relaxed schedule times. Since the evening chores are not every day, you have a good chance to spend more time with the doctor in the late afternoon when the demands on her time are minimal. Oh yeah!
Sickness, emergencies, and "problem" patients often cause delays. Some patients choose to wait and see. Some prefer to reschedule, which is the best solution. Why? Because the doctor may return to the next patient in a difficult frame of mind, and not be as courteous or sensitive to your needs as she would be on a regular day without confrontations.
Get to know the office personnel and make friends with them. It will enable you to be first on their list to call for taking advantage of a cancelled appointment. If you are nice, you can even walk in without an appointment and be seen, or fitted in to the schedule that day.
Part Two: Techniques to easily manage your visit with the doctor, in the exam room.
The author, Dr. Graham, has been published in Modern Physician, and has written medical information articles for 30 years, as well as a book on Infertility. His 38 years in medical practice as a patient advocate credentials him as an elite source for medical system advice and information.
Learn effective methods of obtaining better medical care by going here: http://www.healthcare-toolbox.com
Copyright 3004-2010, L & C Internet Enterprises, Inc., Curtis Graham, M.D., All Rights Reserved
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