Whether you’re visiting the doctor because of a nagging health concern or to make sure everything’s in working order, it can be a daunting process.
First, choosing the right doctor can be a project in and of itself. There are so many options, and it’s hard to know how to find the right fit. On top of that, you want to make sure all of your questions are answered and needs are met in a short period of time – all while naked on a cold table. It’s a lot! There’s no instruction manual for the healthcare system – even though there really should be.
So how can you make sure you’re not just wasting your time?
A Viva Wellness partner, Dr. Sidney Stein, helps answer commonly asked questions about maximizing your doctor’s visit and making sure you find the right fit.
What are the best ways a patient can prepare for their upcoming visit?
It’s important to have the most information possible, especially if you’re visiting a new doctor. Make a list of your current medications, and how compliant you are with taking them. Try to get ahold of your immunization records, and definitely be able to provide a list of previous medical procedures or surgeries. If you’re seeing a doctor who has treated you in the past, make sure you have a list of anything that’s changed since your last visit.
If you scheduled your visit for a specific concern, make sure to bring that up first. The doctor might not be able to get to everything in one visit, but making a priorities list ahead of time can help. It’s also a great idea to have as many details about your complaint as possible. If you’ve been experiencing pain, for example, it can make a doctor’s life so much easier if you have information about when, how often, the severity, if anything provides relief, and how it affects your daily life.
Bottom line: the more information you have, the better. The doctor might not ask for all of it, but at least you’ll be prepared to give any details that might be relevant.
What do you wish more people understood about the process of visiting a doctor?
Time may be limited, and not because the doctor doesn’t care! Doctors often have to schedule back to back to back appointments in order to keep up their practice. Sadly, they can’t always dedicate as much time to each person as they’d like.
In order to maximize your time, turn off your cell phone! Make sure you aren’t stopping the appointment for disruptions that can wait. This is also true of using Dr. Google to confirm your doctor’s reports. Yes, people really do that. Save that for when you get home. Dr. Stein reports that the biggest struggle in giving patients the quality of care they deserve is the time limitations, so do what you can to avoid making it even harder to cover everything.
What factors should patients consider when choosing a doctor?
It’s a good idea to check the doctor’s affiliations to hospitals as well as what insurance plans they are able to accept. It’s a huge let down to choose a doctor who seems right for you, only to find out that you can’t pay for it.
Additionally, you should find out whether you will be seeing the doctor, or an associate such as a physician’s assistant or a nurse practitioner. Both PAs and NPs are immensely qualified health care providers, but you want to make sure you’re actually going to meet with the person you’ve chosen to see.
Lastly, feel free to ask how much time the doctor plans to spend with you in the appointment. It will give you an idea of what you can cover, and whether or not the standard of care is being met.
If you’re anxious about the visit, don’t hesitate to ask what you can expect while you’re in the office. The front office staff are often more than happy to address any concerns you have before your appointment!
Author: Rachel
Rachel is a licensed therapist and co-founder of Viva Wellness. She gets most of her inspiration for the blog while on the run, and if you ever need to find her, she’s probably in Central Park. If she’s not running, you’ll find her planning the next time she’s going to eat, exploring all things wellness in NYC, or raising her stress level by watching her sports teams.
