| We all know it. We all see it. We all have been | | | | include: |
| affected one way or another by it. Our healthcare | | | | 1 - a list of your medical diagnoses; you may need to |
| system is changing - in some ways for the better | | | | have a discussion with your doctors or ask them to |
| (more treatment options, better diagnostic tools) but in | | | | email you this list for your records in order for it to be |
| many ways the changes are not in the best interest of | | | | accurate and complete. |
| the patient or the doctor. Due to decreasing | | | | 2 - a list of all surgeries or procedures |
| reimbursement payments and rising malpractice | | | | 3 - a list of all hospitalizations |
| premiums, doctors are forced to see more and more | | | | 4 - a list of allergies and what reaction occurred |
| patients every day. Most primary care physicians need | | | | 5 - a complete medication list |
| to see at least 25 to 30 and sometimes up to 40 | | | | 6 - a list of all your doctors' names, specialties, and |
| patients each day. | | | | contact information |
| If you are one of 150 patients that your doctor has | | | | The next step in facilitating communication with your |
| seen in their office that week, how do you ensure that | | | | doctor is for you to plan foryour doctor visits ahead of |
| your needs are fully met? How do you make sure that | | | | time. Prepare a list of any new events or problems |
| your doctor has checked to see if the new | | | | that have occurred since your last visit with that |
| prescription he or she is prescribing interacts with any | | | | doctor; include other doctor visits, specialists' |
| medications that you are already taking? And, with | | | | consultations, any emergency department visits and |
| such limited time, how do you get your questions and | | | | hospitalizations, medications changes and any tests |
| concerns addressed? | | | | performed. Then, make a list of questions that you |
| The best way to get the most out of your doctor | | | | would like to have addressed by this physician. Lastly, |
| visits is through effective communication. No longer | | | | leave room for your doctor to write a short summary |
| can you passively sit back and assume that your | | | | of what happened during your visit, to explain any |
| doctor is following through on all of your healthcare | | | | medication changes, and to list any tests that need to |
| concerns. You need to take control of your healthcare | | | | be scheduled and followed up. |
| and facilitate effective communication with your doctor, | | | | Remember, that you and your doctors need to work |
| and the first step in this direction is to get organized. | | | | together as a team in order for your care to be |
| You need to make your own medical chart; one that | | | | optimized. Organizing and coordinating the team is the |
| stays with you for you to take from doctor to doctor | | | | most important job you can do to ensure the optimal |
| or in the event that you need to go to an emergency | | | | care that you deserve. |
| department or be hospitalized. This chart needs to | | | | |