How to Prepare for a Doctor's Appointment
On the popular television series "ER," a patient is rolled into the emergency department while EMTs rattle off a litany of vital signs, history and medications and almost instantaneously the doctor diagnoses, simultaneously commencing treatment.
This scene does not accurately depict the realities of medical diagnosis and treatment. It ignores the primary element in any diagnosis: the telling of the patient's full story. Accurate diagnosis requires a conversation with the patient, thorough examination, and careful reflection on the facts-all of which take time. Arriving at a diagnosis never happens as fast as it does on TV.
In today's managed care environment the time you spend face-to-face with your physician is limited. To get the most from your health care providers (HCPs) you'll need to meet them halfway, and preparation is the key. If you come prepared with the details and history of your problem, anticipate questions, know your medications, and bring medical records you increase the likelihood of an accurate diagnosis. And if you are anxious about doctor appointments, good preparation will go a long way to alleviate that anxiety. The following tips can help you make the most of your appointment.
Organize your history
What is the process of diagnosis? The majority is buried in the history-a description of the problem. What TV shows like "ER" fail to show is the process of sifting through that description to locate the nuggets of pertinent information. While it's true that additional information is gleaned from the physical exam, laboratory and imaging tests, it is the history that provides direction for the investigation.
The more organized your presentation, the easier it will be for your HCP to arrive at a diagnosis. Keeping a journal of your symptoms may be helpful. If you feel it might be necessary, enlist a relative or friend to help you prepare and/or accompany you to the appointment. Physicians appreciate an accurate history whether it comes from the patient or someone who clearly knows the problem. (If someone does accompany you, be sure there's unified agreement to the story. Bickering in the exam room is counterproductive.)
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