By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

PLANNING AND ASKING RIGHT QUESTIONS KEY TO GOOD DOCTOR’S VISIT

Question: When I go to the doctor I get nervous and forget about half of what I wanted to talk to him about. Sometimes I forget to ask for medicine refills, and I often can barely remember what he told me by the time I get to the car. I am not that old and don’t have to go to the doctor very often. I have tried the list thing, but when it comes time for my appointment, I often can’t think of any questions to write down. Help!!!

Answer: I, too, am a patient on occasion, and I understand what you are talking about. Often, when my doctor comes in to see me, he is so upbeat and dynamic, I forget that I am having any problems. I am just glad that he seems so happy to see me and is pleased that my chronic health problems are under control.

You said that you have trouble thinking of things to write down. This may be because you are trying to hurry and write your list right before your appointment, when your anxiety is quite high. You may find it helpful to keep a little notepad with you, so that you can write down questions as they come to you several days or weeks before your appointment. Then review the list before your appointment and trim it down.

During this review if you notice more than two distinct problems on your list, you may need more than one visit. Don’t “save up” your ailments and then expect them to all be taken care of in one long session.

To help you remember what was said during your doctor’s visit, bring a notepad and write things down. If you have trouble doing that, ask a family member or trusted friend to take notes and go over them with you when you get home.

Over the years in my experiences both as a patient and as a doctor, I’ve noticed that certain attitudes and behaviors make for a good visit. Probably the most important are planning (e.g., preparing that list), and asking the right questions. Let me give you some specifics.

If you are seeing the doctor for a regular recheck of a chronic problem, ask when you need to be seen again. Ask if you need to have any lab tests or X-rays. Ask if you are to keep taking the same medications that you have been on.

When you see your doctor for an acute problem, such as a strep throat, an infected cut, or a sports injury, the questions are a little different. Ask how long healing normally takes and what kinds of problems would indicate that you are not healing properly and need to make another appointment with your doctor.

If you are seeing a doctor for the first time, or are new to a particular clinic, ask how to get in touch with the doctor after hours. Also, ask about weekend availability and if another doctor, or practice group, shares coverage.

Before you leave home, check when your prescriptions for chronic ailments expire. Make sure you get new ones to cover you until your next visit, even if it’s six months or a year away.

Don’t wait until the doctor has wrapped things up, asked for additional questions, and gets half way out the door to say, “And by the way ...” or “Just one more thing.” I refer to this as a Columbo visit -- a TV detective who always stopped at the door with “just one more thing.”

So, in a nutshell, you should know when to come back, when to call, and if you have enough medications. Finally, schedule that follow-up visit before you leave the office. Then put it on your calendar at home.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org