Welcome back to our series, “What’s Up, Doc?” You can check out the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth parts by clicking the hyperlinks to get up to speed. And now, “The Doorknob Moment… and Other Missed Opportunities.”
- Be your own team! Prepare in advance for your visit. Patients who take a more active role in their medical care have better physiological improvement. Remember, this is a TEAM effort between you and the doctor… with you as the Team Captain!
- Ask your most important FAQs first! Don’t wait until you’re dressed and leaving the office! They say in psychotherapy the most impactful part of the session is usually the last 5 minutes. Don’t take that approach with your medical doctor or you could miss talking about some important info and you will leave with missed opportunities.
- This tip is for the fellas: speak up! Don’t be macho, tell the truth. If something is ailing you, it’s better for your doctor to know so she can help. This visit is not the place to put on a brave face. Statistically, women are better than men at asking questions about their medical issues. Not that we’re better or anything (wink, wink), we just go to the doctor more often so we have more practice.
- ASK if the doctor will communicate by e-mail. Often e-mails become a valuable part of your chart. If you happen to forget to ask an important FAQ or need further clarification, having a doctor who uses technology is critical!
- If the doctor doesn’t use email, find out the easiest way to communicate about your missed opportunities with her after the visit… phone, fax, carrier pigeon, smoke signals? For example, does she return phone calls after normal office hours? What about in real emergencies?
Look at how smart you are! Look how you’re advocating for your health and your money! How are you feeling, my internet friends? Have you tried any of our tips and tricks yet? How is it going out there?
