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For Patients: Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Doctor Appointment?

February 8, 2017

By Annie Achee
 
Wondering how you can get the most out of your doctor appointment? Follow these simple steps.
 
1) If you think you’ll have questions or concerns, write them down ahead of time. Be organized and prepared as you may find your appointment cut short.
 
2) Speak up!  Don’t be afraid  to ask a question or pose a concern. You have the right to ask and get a response from your care team. On www.nlmsf.org, your “patient compass,” will guide you on what questions to ask and when.
3) Take someone with you to your appointments if you can. They’ll be able to help by being an extra pair of eyes and ears, and take notes for you as you receive answers to your questions. There may also be other information given to you that you will want and need to remember.
 
4) If you don’t understand a medical term, ask what it means to get immediate clarification. After you get instructions or an explanation, repeat back what you thought you heard so you can reconfirm your understanding of the information and make sure that any key facts your doctor tells you are written down so you won’t forget.
 
5) Have an organized notebook, with pocket folders, to house your lab tests, CT scan reports, and any questions you want to ask. If you would like such a notebook already assembled for you, email:  [email protected]  You can see what the notebook looks like on the website under the merchandise page.
 
Additionally, a word to the wise . . . if you are in the hospital, make sure that the nurses and doctors are checking your ID bracelet to make sure you are getting the correct medications and medical assessment.  
 
 Learn more at The National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation

 

 

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