Helpful Tips and Links For Better Health
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Secrets to a Successful Doctor's Appointment
Be prepared and arrive with a written list of any questions. This will help ensure your agenda
gets covered even if a portion of your doctor's agenda distracts
you. Take notes or tape record the appointment.
The best way to get your doctor's attention: Be direct. Studies
show that many physicians spend only a short amount of time
listening to a patient before starting in on their own agenda,
perhaps because something in your chart caught his
attention, or because he heard only the first part
of what you said. If an issue is important to you,
say so. Don't be hesitant to say, "This is a concern
to me"
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Don't fight symptoms of a serious cold or flu for a week or 2 before seeking treatment. Try some OTC medications like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc. If you are ill for more than 3 days, call to see your doctor. Often "mini" appointment times are secreted away for just such cases. Avoid the ERs for these issues.
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Medications:
Don't forget to tell your doctor about ALL the medicines you
are taking. That includes vitamins and OTC supplements. There can be serious interaction conflicts
among various medications. Know your medical history as well.
Keep a list of all of your medications with you.
Write them in pencil and then, when changes are made
at a doctor appointment, your list can be amended
right there with a simple erasure. Your allergies
should be noted on this same list: in pen.
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This way you will ALWAYS have an up-to-date record
of your medicines with you This information will be
invaluable when you are seeing a doctor for the 1st
time. Even more important are the times you might
need to be seen in an emergency room. Studies have
shown that the stress of an ER trip drastically
decreases a person's recall of even the simplest
personal data. Along with that, keep a record
of your pertinent, major medical history in your
wallet. If you are married, keep your spouse's
information with you as well. This is also a
valuable tool if you are unfortunate enough to have
an accident requiring ambulance assistance. This
information can make the difference between life and
death if you are not able to respond to questions.
Don't wait until the last minute to call for a prescription
refill. And remember, if it is a routine medicine, even if the
bottle says "no refills", a call to your pharmacist is often the
easiest way to get a refill order placed. Many prescription
refills can be done up to a week before you will be taking the
last pill in a bottle. Please don't wait until no pills remain.
It can often take up to 3 days to get these refilled. Many narcotic refills can only be obtained with a new
written
prescription. This will entail at least a call to your doctor's
office. Plus: someone will need to pick up the
prescription and take it to the pharmacy for
filling. Definitely don't wait until all of your prescribed
narcotic pills are gone if you anticipate
needing a refill.
Have your pharmacy's phone number handy when you call for any
prescription renewals. You get a gold star for knowing this when
you call the doctor's office. AND, if the medicine is for a
child, know his weight and allergies…your second gold star!
At least once a year you should bring all our medication bottles to your appointment for a full review. Just in case you forgot to list any and to be sure you are not taking any duplicates.
Worth Mentioning:
Don't assume your doctors talk to each other and that all
reports are sent automatically to your other doctors. If there
is something in particular you want shared, mention this to your
doctor.
Any time you have lab tests, X-rays, MRIs, etc., insist that a
copy of the report be sent to you at your home. Then, if you
need to see a specialist, you have the report. Plus, you can
share the data with your loved ones.
"You have been a blessing to me!" "We need more people like you."
M.R. of Green Bay, Wisconsin
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Helpful Links
Cancer Information
www.oncolink.com
Oncology Information
www.cancer.org
American Cancer Society
Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov
National Institute of Mental Health
Information for Consumers
www.seekwellness.com
www.mayoclinic.com
Great resource for many health issues
www.drweil.com
Holistic health information
www.healthweb.org
www.drkoop.com
Dr. C. Everett Koop, previous head of CDC offers great insights
www.cdc.gov/aging
Center for Disease Control
www.medicare.gov
Information about Medicare Part D: click on "Compare Prices for Your Prescriptions", then on "Quick Search". (help with medical claims)
www.guideline.gov
Help with best treatment guidelines
www.nlm.nih.gov
Nat'l Library of Medicine: best and latest medical studies
www.nia.nih.gov
Nat'l Institute on Aging
www.ahrq.gov
Guide to choosing quality healthcare
www.RXforsafety.com
Tips for avoiding medication errors and help to become a more informed patient
For the Visually Handicapped
www.dhfs.state.wi.us/blind
Bureau for the Blind; or call 1-888-879-2090. You might also contact: "Prevent Blindness" at 1-800-331-2020
Other Health Issue Sites
www.thebody.com
Complete AIDS resource
www.kidshealth.org
www.Rand.org/news
Important studies re: US Healthcare
Specifically for Women
www.womenheart.org
Women and heart disease
www.twshf.org
Women's Sexual Health Foundation
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/asc
Acute stress cardiomyopathy --"asc"
http://circ.ahajournals.org
More on asc from the American Heart Assoc. Journals
www.womenshealth.gov
Nat'l Women's Health Info Center |
