Making the Most of a Doctor Visit

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Making the most of your doctor visit takes some planning and organizing up front, as well as open, honest communication.

Research shows that good patient-doctor communication is a factor in lowering blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, improving blood pressure, and resolving chronic headaches and other health problems.

The May issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers these tips to maximize your doctor's appointment, whether for a checkup or a medical condition.

Before the visit:

• When you schedule, ask about the length of the appointment. Typically, most doctor visits last 15 to 20 minutes, with perhaps 30 minutes for a checkup. If you need more time, ask for a longer appointment. A subsequent appointment, instead of during a checkup, may be needed to address specific concerns.
• Write down and bring any changes to your medical history since your last visit, including medications, hospitalization or emergency room visits, injuries, new allergic reactions or a new major diagnosis or death in the family.
• Prepare your questions and a list of current medications. If you are seeing a new provider, ask your previous doctor to send a health summary prior to the appointment. By signing a release form, you can authorize the new doctor to request specific records, such as a CT scan or mammogram, from the previous provider.

During the visit:

• Stay focused and specific, avoiding conversational detours into topics unrelated to your health.
• Answer questions honestly and completely, including those about sensitive topics such as alcohol use, tobacco use, drug use, depression, sexual issues or incontinence.
• Take responsibility for meeting your health goals. Be candid with yourself and your doctor. Doctors realize that people don't always follow through with plans.
• Make sure you understand what your provider says and recommends. Don't be embarrassed to ask for further explanation. If helpful, take notes or bring a family member to help listen.
• If there's not time to cover all your questions or concerns, ask your provider about the best way to follow up — by phone call, another visit or e-mail.
• Before you leave, make sure you understand any instructions, additional tests needed, changes in medication or other treatments. Find out when to return for a follow-up visit.

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Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1, or visit www.bookstore.mayoclinic.com.

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To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. HealthLetter.MayoClinic.com is available as a resource for your health stories.