Checklist 1 - Before You Call Or See Your Doctor/Provider
A. Find out these things in advance:
What are the doctor's office hours?
What is the best time to call?
What is the doctor's policy for returning
calls?
Whom should you speak with (i.e.,
physician's assistant, nurse, etc.) if the doctor can't come to the phone?
What is the phone number for emergency
calls or calls when the office is closed?
Whom can you call if your doctor is out of
town?
B. Be ready to tell your doctor these things.
What do I think the problem is and when did
it start?
What makes it better and worse?
What are my signs and symptoms? Be
specific. If you have a pain, be able to say where the pain is, how much it hurts, and if
it is dull, aching, stabbing, throbbing, etc.
Results of home testing such as your
temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate per minute, etc.
Medicines you take. Know the name(s),
dose(s), etc. Include over-the-counter ones, vitamins, etc.
Allergies to medicines, food, etc.
Other medical conditions that run in your
family.
Your lifestyle: Eating, drinking, sleeping,
exercising habits, etc.
Concerns you have about your health.
What you would like the doctor to do for
you.
Your pharmacist's phone number.
Note: If needed, have your medical records, results of lab tests
and x-rays, etc. from other health care providers sent to you doctor before your visit.
Checklist 2 - During the Doctor/Provider Visit or Call
A. Tell the doctor the answers to the questions and the information you wrote down in Checklist 1. Take the list with you to the doctor's office. Make sure you have your eyeglasses and hearing aid, if you need them.
B. Ask your doctor these questions:
What do you think the problem or diagnosis
is? If you are confused by medical terms, ask for simple definitions. Repeat in your own
words what the doctor has told you. Use simple phrases like, "Do I hear you say
that...?" Or "My understanding of the problem is...?"
Do I need any tests to rule out or confirm
your diagnosis? If so, what tests do I need? Where do I go for the test(s) and how and
when will I get the test results?
What do I need to do to treat the problem?
How can I prevent it in the future? Are any changes needed in my activities?
Do I need to take any medicine? If so, what
is the name of the medicine, how often do I take it, and how long do I take it? What side
effects should I be aware of? Which ones should I let you know about?
When do I need to call or see you again?
How are costs handled for this visit and
tests?
Checklist 3 - After the Doctor/Provider Visit or call
Follow your doctor's advice. If you
can't remember what to do, call the doctor's office. Ask, again, what it is you should do.
Tell your doctor if you feel worse, have
additional problems, or have bad side effects form medicines your doctor told you to take.
Keep return visit appointments. If you need
to cancel or reschedule an appointment, call your doctor's office at least 24 hours ahead
of time.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99