How To Make The Most Of Your Doctor's Appointment

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For many patients, preparing for a doctor’s appointment simply means scheduling the appointment and arriving on time. However, there are things you can do in advance to make the most of your visit. Renu Chaturvedi, MD, a family medicine physician at McLaren Greater Lansing Holt Family Practice shares her insight on the best ways to make your appointment more efficient and effective.

Bring your ID and insurance card

A visit to the doctor’s office starts with the receptionist. It is important to bring your insurance card and driver’s license or other official identification. These are necessary to validate your identity and insurance coverage. “It’s really important that patients bring these items to every appointment,” said Dr. Chaturvedi. “We’ve had to turn some patients away because they did not have their ID.”

Bring an updated medications list

All patients should bring an up-to-date medication list to their appointments. This is particularly important for those over age 65 or who take numerous medications. “Having an up-to-date list is important because otherwise we have to ask what medications the patient takes, and it really slows down the visit,” said Dr. Chaturvedi. By bringing a list of your medications, a 15-minute discussion can be handled in less than a minute.

Bring a list of specialists seen

The medical community emphasizes coordinated care, and a large part of that responsibility falls on the primary care physician. Providing a list of your specialists allows your primary care physician to keep a record of your screenings and treatments to better coordinate your care. "Sometimes a patient thinks they had a colonoscopy just five years ago when in fact the procedure was performed 10 years ago. We like to record these screenings as they happen so we can track when they are due again,” said Dr. Chaturvedi. “It’s easy for patients to forget.”

Complete the medical history form

Before your appointment, you will be mailed a medical history form to complete before your visit. The form prompts patients to list their allergies, medical and surgical history and all vaccinations. Information will also be requested about important screenings a patient may have had, such as a mammogram or colonoscopy. Patients should also list all symptoms they are currently experiencing. “It’s like a record from a previous doctor’s appointment,” said Dr. Chaturvedi. “It’s a comprehensive and useful form if the time is taken to complete it.”

Make a list of symptoms and questions

Making a list of symptoms you’re experiencing and questions you have will not only speed up your appointment, but will also ensure your concerns are discussed. “Sometimes a patient may feel rushed or get distracted as we talk about some of their issues,” said Dr. Chaturvedi. “After the appointment, they may realize they forgot to talk about the main reason they were here.” Additionally, providing your physician with a complete picture of your health will allow them to prioritize what needs to be addressed first.

Inform the office of recent emergency room visits

For patients with an appointment following a visit to an emergency room, it may be helpful to know that any tests, such as CT scans for X-rays, or files resulting from the ER visit are the physician’s responsibility to obtain. However, before the appointment, it is important to inform their physician about the emergency room visit. That way, the physician’s office is alerted to obtain the records ahead of your appointment, allowing them to be better prepared and avoid delays.

Preparing for your next doctor’s appointment will ensure you and your physician will have everything you need to reduce the stress surrounding the visit and create a well-informed plan of care.

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