PART 2 (Click Here for Part 1)
Your initial visit with any new doctor will lay down the foundation for the relationship that you will develop with the doctor as well as their office. My staff is trained to anticipate your needs and ensure that your appointment goes smoothly. It is for this reason that we do not have a phone tree, voice mail or an automated attendant. If you need a medical professional, you shouldn’t be treated like cattle wading through an endless sea of “please press X…”
Checklists and timelines are extremely useful in these situations. Whether you’ve had health concerns for months or years, writing out your understanding of the issues helps to tell your story. Combined with the records you keep, this puts all your health history at your fingertips.
Here is a list of everything that I think is useful for you to bring to a visit with any new medical professional:
- Photo identification
- Insurance and Prescription cards
- Printouts or a list of things you want to discuss and review. This way you’re sure to get all your concerns addressed.
- A family member – always a good idea to have an extra set of ears as well as support!
- If you have/use a glucose meter or insulin pump – bring them with you.
- A list of your current medical diagnoses. A list of major diagnoses that you may have been told you had but were later decided against.
- A list of your current medications. Don’t forget to include your vitamins and supplements. A list of any medications that were stopped and why. Do not include short term medications like antibiotics, etc. If possible, bring your actual prescription bottles with you too.
- A list of all hospitalizations and the reasons why.
- A list of all surgeries and the reasons why.
- A list of all of the doctors that you’ve seen. Include addresses and phone numbers.
- If you know: A list of all the diagnoses that family members have.
- Keep copies for yourself of critical information: Pathology reports (like biopsies) Imaging reports (like CT scans, MRIs) Lab reports