Know Yourself

We know one of the first questions we are typically asked at a doctor's visit, something along the lines of "So, what brings you in today?". Oftentimes, if you're like me, you may share a vague description of your pain, symptoms, or discomforts, but try to make it as short as possible, almost expecting to be interrupted with a question after the first 30 seconds of speaking. Other times, you completely blank when the person in the white coat walks in. You forget the answers to the "what?", "why?", or "how long?" questions you are asked. You may fear to sound uneducated or incompetent, so you share as little as possible. This is normal, but it also results in patient-caregiver miscommunication. Without a well-rounded understanding of us, the patient, as a whole person, your doctor won't be treating you, they will be treating a version of you based on what you described. This results in receiving a treatment that may not be suited for what you are truly experiencing.

A prepared patient is an empowered patient. One of the ways that we can become empowered patients is by coming well prepared to our doctor's appointments with the specific details regarding our current health status and the course of the illness we are facing. This includes everything from our symptoms and their duration to the medication we have been taking. Along with that, we are expected to know our health history, as this plays an important role in the treatment we will receive. With our current health issues potentially linking back to previous injuries or operations, it is important that we provide our caregivers with as much information as possible. With all that being said, how do we begin to make sense of it all?


Know Yourself

One of the most important things we can do is know ourselves. This includes everything from our family health history to our own personal health history. Have you ever been in an accident? What surgeries have you had? Any broken bones in the past? Have you or do you suffer from anxiety or depression? Ever been pregnant? What about your family? Is there a family history of diabetes? Has anybody in your family been diagnosed with cancer? 

If you are like me, I did not know anything about my family health history. It wasn't until I was almost 22 that I learned about my family's history of autoimmune disorders. This was highly important when various doctors and I were attempting to identify and treat unusual symptoms that were ultimately linked to an autoimmune disease. 

Take some time at the next family gathering to ask about your family's health history. While you are doing this, take notes! Keep a notebook or a set of notes on your phone dedicated specifically to your health information. Keep a log of what you learn about your family's health history, any doctor's visits and major operations you've had, and even minor injuries that you do not seek medical treatment for. What medications have you taken or currently take on a regular basis? We cannot rely solely on our memory every time we are in a healthcare setting. In the times of added stress, we are even less likely to be able to think clearly. Let your notebook become your second brain.

Come Prepared

In addition to having your detailed health history, it is important to come prepared with information when we are seeking care for something specific. Any visit outside of a routine appointment will have a direct concern you are looking to address. As soon as you begin noticing anything unusual or out of the ordinary in regards to your health, write it down. Take note of any pain, discomfort, or abnormality. Ask yourself these questions:

1. How long does the pain/ abnormality last?
2. What triggers this pain?
3. When did I first notice this pain?
4. Have I done anything to help the pain and if so, what? (Medications, home remedies, etc.)
5. Was there an instance that caused the symptom? (Sun exposure, injury, etc.)

By taking as detailed notes as possible, we can help our caregiver understand the true nature of what we are going through. When various caregivers and I were attempting to identify a swelling issue in one of my fingers, photographs made a world of a difference. Showing pictures that displayed the progression of the swelling and the severe abnormality compared to my other fingers is what made my doctor take this concern more seriously than before. Since my finger changed over time, the finger was not at its worst point by the time of my doctor's visit. My use of photos helped me to receive the best care possible.
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Taking advantage of technology is also a great way to display our issues. Take your notebook and notes with you to every appointment to help your doctor help you. You are your biggest advocate in the healthcare field and hold the key to effective treatment.