Due to a combination of factors, including healthcare policies, pressure from insurance companies, and financial incentives, primary care doctors are forced to see patients for shorter durations. It is very common for primary care physicians to schedule appointments in 15-minute intervals.
To further complicate matters, the average primary care physician is responsible for about 2,300 patients in his or her assigned practice. This makes it extremely difficult for physicians to keep track of patients and develop personal relationships.
To ensure that you receive optimal care and attention during an appointment, take an active role in your health. Follow the suggestions below to increase your satisfaction during physician appointments and improve your chances of being correctly diagnosed.
Make a List
Before visiting your doctor, it is critical to make a list of symptoms you may be having. On this list, include a detailed description of symptoms, their durations, and anything that improves or worsens the symptoms.
Health experts also suggest bringing a list of currently consumed medications and used assistive devices to appointments. Assistive devices can include anything from walkers to hearing aids.
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Be Open
Be prepared to be asked uncomfortable questions, and be sure to answer these questions honestly. The more honest and thorough you are, the more properly your physician will be able to diagnose you. For example, a doctor may interpret a sore throat and coughing as a cold, if those are the only symptoms that you share. A doctor may think twice about diagnosing you with a cold if you add that you were previously a heavy smoker.
Ask for Specifics
If your doctor prescribes you with a new medication, it is your right as a patient to know what the medication is for and and its side effects. It is also your right as a patient to know if this medication is simply a symptom reliever or if it will solve the problem that you are currently facing.
Be Assertive
If you believe that you need a specific test, such as an X-ray or CAT scan, insist on receiving the proper test. If healthcare professionals refuse to perform the test you are asking for, ensure that they are refusing with your health in mind, rather than cost reductions.
Hold Doctors Accountable
If your physician shows up late to an appointment, let him or her know that it is unprofessional to keep you waiting and take away from your valuable time. Visit websites such as yelp.com, healthgrades.com, and vitals.com to learn about your various options for physicians.
Collectively, the tips above can help ensure that you benefit from the time and money you put into your appointments. When it comes to our personal health, we must be assertive in ensuring that our doctors are making choices with our best interests in mind.
