Would you like to have a more comfortable, more productive appointment with your doctor? These seven hacks will help you to be sure that you understand everything your doctor is telling you. When you understand your doctor, you’ll be more confident that you are getting the treatment that you need.
Shower
Don’t you feel fresh and confident right after you step out of the shower? Not to mention clean? When someone is going to be inspecting your body, it will help you feel more comfortable if you’ve showered that day. Simple stupid, I know, but something to remember.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
At most doctor’s offices, you are asked to take your blood pressure before you see the doctor. This process is easier if you wear sleeves that are easy to roll up or an outer shirt that you can comfortably take off. Remember that they take your blood pressure in a public hallway, so you’ll probably still want to be covered up. Doctor’s offices and hospitals are often cold to help prevent the spread of germs. Wear clothes warm enough so that you won’t feel too chilly while you wait to be shown to your room. If you think you will be asked to undress, wear clothes that are easy to take on and off.
Bring Someone With You
Having a person you trust with you at your appointment can help you feel more at ease and be a second ear for your doctor’s instructions. When you get back home, your friend will be there as a sounding board for those moments when you’re not sure if you’re remembering correctly.
Trust Your Intuition
If your intuition bells start ringing when your doctor gives her opinion, know that it’s possible that your doctor has missed something. If you have doubts about your course of treatment, bring them up with your doctor. You should not tell your doctor you’re going to take the medication you have doubts about and not take it when you get home, but you should explain your concerns to your doctor. She can explain her reasoning or determine another course of treatment.
Ask Questions
Asking your doctor questions throughout the appointment is a great way to make sure you both understand what’s going on. Your doctor expects that you understand why she is running tests, prescribing medications, and asking you to come back in two weeks. If you don’t understand, you should ask why—because she also expects you to ask questions! Don’t get caught up in worrying that your doctor will think you’re stupid if you don’t know all the answers. It’s smarter to ask than to stay in the dark.
Take Notes
Even if your memory is sharp, it’s a good idea to take notes during all your doctor’s appointments. You can keep a running note on your phone, use a designated notebook, or use scrap paper that you keep in a special folder at home. The act of taking notes will keep you in the moment and help you make sure you are understanding everything as you go through the appointment. They are also handy to refer back to when necessary.
Seek a Second Opinion
If you’re not sure about what your doctor is telling you, it is perfectly ok, encouraged even, to seek a second opinion. Sometimes even hearing the same message in different words will help you understand. Beware of using the internet as a second opinion. Google and WebMD are amazing and powerful tools, but you should take what you read with a grain of salt. There is a lot of misinformation on the internet and it’s easy to get worked up when you are self-diagnosing.
Have you tried any of these at your doctor appointment? Which ones worked for you?
