Inquire
Now that you have made your lists of symptoms and your family's health history (and checked them twice), you are ready for the actual appointment! Feeling prepared and equipped for your doctor's visit, the real work now comes into play. My previous post, Know Yourself shares about how to prepare for a doctor's visit as an empowered patient. But in order to make the most of our actual appointment, we want to implement the practice of inquiring.
Inquiring is simply the act of seeking information from someone, or to look into something. In the health context, this involves gaining a clear understanding of what our doctor is saying and what is expected of us as patients. As a patient, this involves asking questions, seeking clarification, and being sure that we understand as much as possible about what our caregiver is telling us.
Why Inquire?
We are partners with our healthcare provider and what we do not know will not help us. "A curious patient is a healthy patient" and the more we ask, the more we understand (Kahn, 2014). Kahn (2014) states how "doctors say they wish their patients would be more proactive and ask these questions during their visit".
With this in mind, we now wonder, what should I ask? Here are a series of questions that you should seek answers for before you leave your visit. I recommend bringing a pen and paper to take down notes.
Be sure to ask
Inquiring is simply the act of seeking information from someone, or to look into something. In the health context, this involves gaining a clear understanding of what our doctor is saying and what is expected of us as patients. As a patient, this involves asking questions, seeking clarification, and being sure that we understand as much as possible about what our caregiver is telling us.
Why Inquire?
We are partners with our healthcare provider and what we do not know will not help us. "A curious patient is a healthy patient" and the more we ask, the more we understand (Kahn, 2014). Kahn (2014) states how "doctors say they wish their patients would be more proactive and ask these questions during their visit".
With this in mind, we now wonder, what should I ask? Here are a series of questions that you should seek answers for before you leave your visit. I recommend bringing a pen and paper to take down notes.
Be sure to ask
- What is the diagnosis?
- What treatments are available?
- What are the benefits and risks that come with each treatment?
- What are the side effects of the medication being described?
- Why do you recommend this treatment/medication?
- Should I schedule a follow-up visit?
- What should I work on before my next visit?
This is not an exhaustive list of questions, but hopefully, this gets your creative juices flowing! Let this guide your conversations and the information you receive. Be sure to take notes or have a family member or friend come with you to act as your personal scribe.
Do not be afraid to ask for clarification! If you do not understand a medical phrase that your doctor is saying, simply say "I do not think I understand. Can you restate what you mean?"
Your caregiver should be more than willing to restate the information in a way that you understand.
Be sure to use other outside resources to get the information you need. If your doctor is not helpful, ask for another person who can give you the clarity that you need. Secretaries, assistants, or other nurses are there to help you.
Work with your Caregiver
One of the most important parts of creating an effective treatment plan is developing one that is fitting for you and your lifestyle. When developing a treatment plan, whether it be new medication, dietary changes, physical therapy, daily medical interventions, etc. it is important that what your doctor is recommending is something that you will actually implement. Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that you will, in fact, fit into your everyday routine in order to receive the best treatment possible.
Incorporate factors such as your job's working environment, the facilities available in your local community, and what resources you have access to. Be aware of your current lifestyle and family habits that could either support or oppose better health. If your caregiver is not brought into your unique circumstance, their recommendations are much less useful.
One's ability to self-manage their own health will greatly impact the long-term outcomes of our well-being. Yes, our doctors and caregivers are there to assist us every step of the way, but a vast majority of our time is spent outside of the doctor's office. By working with your caregiver to provide treatment plans that are right for you, now it is your turn to take matters into your own hands as an empowered patient.
Be sure to use other outside resources to get the information you need. If your doctor is not helpful, ask for another person who can give you the clarity that you need. Secretaries, assistants, or other nurses are there to help you.
Work with your Caregiver
One of the most important parts of creating an effective treatment plan is developing one that is fitting for you and your lifestyle. When developing a treatment plan, whether it be new medication, dietary changes, physical therapy, daily medical interventions, etc. it is important that what your doctor is recommending is something that you will actually implement. Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that you will, in fact, fit into your everyday routine in order to receive the best treatment possible.
Incorporate factors such as your job's working environment, the facilities available in your local community, and what resources you have access to. Be aware of your current lifestyle and family habits that could either support or oppose better health. If your caregiver is not brought into your unique circumstance, their recommendations are much less useful.
One's ability to self-manage their own health will greatly impact the long-term outcomes of our well-being. Yes, our doctors and caregivers are there to assist us every step of the way, but a vast majority of our time is spent outside of the doctor's office. By working with your caregiver to provide treatment plans that are right for you, now it is your turn to take matters into your own hands as an empowered patient.
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