Waiting Rooms HELP!!!!

[KimmyK4]

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Hey Guys. I'm writing an article for my college newspaper on how to maximize a visit to the doctor while helping to cut time spent waiting in a waiting room. I know I am not a doctor yet, and won't be for a longgg time, but I am an EMT, this is a ROUGH very, very ROUGH draft of what I'm looking for so any suggestions- advice, any facts or ideas that can make this better PLEASE comment. It's for a special Health section I'm hoping to put together.

10 Tips to Maximize your Doctors Appointment



Here's how to get the most out of your Doctors Appointment.

1. Call to confirm your appointment before you go. It is also okay to call the morning of to see if the doctor is running late, and see if they would like you to come in later.

2. Be on time. You may be charged a fee for no-showing, or miss your appointment if you are late.

3. Don't schedule a routine check-up on a Monday or Friday. Many emergencies show up those days as the weekend is a scary time for someone who is sick.

4. Make your appointment really early, the earlier the better because there is less patient back-up. It's said you can schedule an appointment for after the doctor's lunch period, but I wouldn't recommend it.

5. Come prepared. Write down what is bothering you on a sheet of paper. Take into consideration:

Signs and Symptoms- What’s going on, what have you noticed that’s different?
Allergies- Make sure your doctor knows what you are allergic to before they prescribe you anything.
Medications- Ask questions such as “Could my new medication be causing this discomfort?”
Past history- Has this ever happened before?
Events- Has anything happened recently that could have brought the pain on- such as stress, a rough workout, a bad dinner?

Also- be sure to tell your doctor
What hurts
Where it hurts
What it feels like
When it started
What makes it feel better (if anything)


6. Have a record of your family medical history.

7. Bring a list of current medications you are on. Ladies- BIRTH CONTROL IS A MEDICATION. I can't count how many Patients I myself have seen that don't think about it as one. They usually forget.

8. Be informed. Do a Google search on whatever you think is bothering you. Then write your questions and bring them with you. This will help in communicating with your doctor.

9. Scared to say something? Bring a trusted friend who isn't. Support can be immensely helpful for some people.

10. DON'T BE AFRAID to share information. Many people literally "Die of Embarrassment", because they are too scared to tell their doctor what is really going on.


These tips can help to effectively help manage both your time and your doctor’s time.


**Go easy on me!! 🙂 **

Thanks for all your help!

 

[DoctorMom78]

I think it sounds pretty good. Just a few things I would comment on.

Vitamins and other supplements like that are frequently forgotten when listing meds. Maybe add something about that.

Know the correct dose of your medications. The prescribing physician and indication is also helpful. I can't tell you how many people don't know that. A lot of older patients do make lists or even bring the bottles with them.

Maybe reword the Monday/Friday part. I don't know if scary is the right word.

I totally agree that you need to educate yourself on your condition, but DON'T Google before you go. That leads to self-diagnosis, and that drives doctors nuts. DO research your condition after a proper diagnosis and don't be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you don't understand something, ask. If you think the doctor is wrong, ask. Honestly, a lot of people just take what a doctor says on blind faith and don't want to bother them with lots of questions, but doctors are human too and can make mistakes. If you are not satisfied with the doctor you just saw, don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

The last part is very true. You need to speak up and not be afraid to say anything. People do die from embarrassment.

I think it is good though. Good luck with it!

 

[DrBowtie]

I think it sounds pretty good. Just a few things I would comment on.

Vitamins and other supplements like that are frequently forgotten when listing meds. Maybe add something about that.

Know the correct dose of your medications. The prescribing physician and indication is also helpful. I can't tell you how many people don't know that. A lot of older patients do make lists or even bring the bottles with them.

Maybe reword the Monday/Friday part. I don't know if scary is the right word.

I totally agree that you need to educate yourself on your condition, but DON'T Google before you go. That leads to self-diagnosis, and that drives doctors nuts. DO research your condition after a proper diagnosis and don't be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you don't understand something, ask. If you think the doctor is wrong, ask. Honestly, a lot of people just take what a doctor says on blind faith and don't want to bother them with lots of questions, but doctors are human too and can make mistakes. If you are not satisfied with the doctor you just saw, don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

The last part is very true. You need to speak up and not be afraid to say anything. People do die from embarrassment.

I think it is good though. Good luck with it!

Ditto on the self diagnosis. Cut/Alter #8.

 

[supersash]

#3

avoid lunch time appointments, very early morning, or evening appointments are usually best. ditto the monday/friday thing! also, try not to make routine visits for the month of december, especially towards the end of the month. people are trying to squeeze in last minute visits since they have already met their deductibles! they literally beg, grovel, etc to get in before january 1st 😉

i think the list looks pretty good otherwise! 🙂

 

[KimmyK4]

Great suggestions! Anyone have any more? I'm really appreciating this. I didn't know about the december visits.

 

[KimmyK4]

"also, try not to make routine visits for the month of december, especially towards the end of the month. people are trying to squeeze in last minute visits since they have already met their deductibles! they literally beg, grovel, etc to get in before january 1st 😉"

Can someone explain this further?

 

[laurenem]

why don't you recommend scheduling after lunch? In my office, this is the best appt time. a lot of pts think that the morning is best, but often the doc is still across town at the hospital rounding while the pt is sitting in the waiting room....

 

[DoctorMom78]

As for the last two posts, it really depends on the office. Many doctors are better in the morning and others are better in the afternoon. As for the December thing, it has been my experience that the oppposite is true. However, I assume that this depends on a lot of things. For instance, I work in a neurologists office in upstate NY. December is slow for us because a lot of our patients are snowbirds who go south for the winter. Others don't want to drive in the winter weather and many people don't want to come around the holidays. On the other hand summers are busier because everyone is back from Florida and the heat causes everyone with MS to have flares. So, for either of these two issues, you really have to look at the individual specialties and doctors. This is probably more confusing than helpful, but it is true. Sorry.😳