Making the Most of Your Doctor's Appointment: Important Things to Ask Your Care Provider

Whether you are going for your annual exam or you are making an appointment due to health concerns, your visit with your Health Care Provider may be less than you thought it would be. Most physician's offices book visits on a 15 minute schedule. After you arrive and wait for what seems like forever, you finally get your turn. Your Care Provider enters the room, looks at the notes that the nurse has written, proceeds to listen to your heart and lungs, asks a few questions, and then he/she is gone. If this has ever happened to you, here's a few hints and tips to make sure that your visit is all that it should be.

Prior to your appointment, make sure to sit down with paper and pen and make a list of the questions that you have regarding your health, your medications, and any new problems that you are having.

Take a family member or friend with you to help keep you on track. Make sure that they are familiar with your list that you have prepared.

Make sure that you take a written list of all medications you are taking or place all of your medications in a bag or container and take them with you.

Once your Care Provider enters the room, let him/her know up front that you have some questions that you want to ask. Have your list available. If you are not satisfied or do not understand the answers that you receive, ask further questions.

Ask your Care Provider to review your medications and see which ones could safely be switched to something that is available in generic form. Obtain a copy of the new $4 dollar prescription list from your local pharmacy if they have one and ask if any of your medications can be switched to something off of this list. Most physicians prescribe newer medications when cheaper alternatives work just as well. Remember that they are "courted" by pharmaceutical representatives to push their newer medications.

Ask your physician to review any lab work with you and to explain the results. Again, make sure that you understand what you are being told. If necessary, have them to write it down for you.

Ask about any routine screening exams that you may need or be due for. Make sure to have the office staff schedule these for you before you leave the office.

Request that any medications that you take "as needed" have refills available so you don't have to worry about calling after hours when you are ill. Most on call Physician's will not call in medications. They will refer you to the ER for evaluation and treatment.

When all else fails, and you still feel like you are just another patient, ask family, friends, etc.. who they recommend. There are some excellent Care Providers out there who will take the time to talk with you about your health care and concerns.