Disclaimer: The information in this post is not professional medical advice. I am not a doctor, nor am I your doctor. The following article is for informational purposes only. Seek the advice of a medical doctor or other medical professional for all medical matters.
Do you struggle to speak up for yourself at doctor appointments?
Does the thought of speaking up for yourself in a cold, sterile medical office intimidate you?
You are not alone. Millions of people experience the same feelings when they visit the doctor.
Supporting and advocating for yourself when you are worried or sick is tough. Even when you understand that medical professionals are there to help, appointments can be scary!
Speaking up for yourself may seem incredibly difficult, but it is necessary so you can get the medical attention you need.
Use the following steps to plan your doctor appointment. Get your medical questions answered and feel confident that you are getting the care you need and deserve.
Decide What Doctor to See
What is the goal of the visit? Do you want this visit to be a baseline for future checkups? Do you need a prescription refill? Or is it time to finally decide what to do about your creaky knee?
Even if your health situation is complicated, decide what area of healthcare you need to address first, why it needs addressed, and exactly what you need from a doctor to move forward with your care.
Now that you know the reason and goal for the doctor visit, are you seeing the RIGHT DOCTOR? Many times you will need a REFERRAL to see a specialist. A referral will most likely be issued by your family doctor or internist.
Research the physician’s background. Find doctors and medical facilities at www.usa.gov/doctors. This article by Trisha Torrey shows you how to dig into a doctor’s background.
But how do you find a family doctor to give you a referral to begin with? If the reason you need a new doctor is because you are moving, ask your current doctor for a recommendation in your new location. Physicians have large networks. They know who practices medicine with the same and different philosophies, so start there.
Asking friends and co-workers is often suggested, but that can have hit-or miss results. One of my favorite tactics is to ask a nurse for a recommendation. Nurses can share expert advice on doctors in a variety of specialties. Check your insurance to see if there are restrictions on what doctors you can see in-network and which doctors are taking new patients.
Make an Appointment
Once you’ve found a doctor who will accept you as a patient, call the medical practice to make an appointment. The staff will be able to help you understand what is required for the initial visit. Some doctors like to have lab work performed BEFORE the appointment. The lab work may be done at the practice or ordered at an offsite location. Other doctors prefer to get to know you at the visit then follow up with any further testing. Ask the staff any questions you have regarding the appointment and the doctor you will see.
Appointments may also be made through an online patient portal. This is convenient and, for those with anxiety, may be a more comfortable choice.
Create a List of Questions
Now that you have made the appointment, create a list of questions. Think about every question you may have. Write each question down.
Prioritize your questions. Remember, the average visit lasts about 15 minutes. Ask the most important questions first so you’ll be assured of getting answers to critical questions during the appointment.
If you’re not finished with your questions, tell the doctor you have more. It’s highly likely the doctor will try to extend the appointment to answer them. If that is impossible, a nurse practitioner may be asked to complete the appointment. You may also be asked to schedule an additional appointment. Alternatively, the doctor may ask you to submit your questions via the patient portal. Regardless, before you leave the appointment, be sure you have a pathway for getting questions answered.
Before You Go to the Doctor Appointment
Ask a Friend or Family Member to Come to Support You at the Appointment. It is a patient right to have someone with you at a doctor appointment. This person can take notes, be responsible for your list of questions, or simply be with you in solidarity.
You will get the most out of the appointment if you have all test results in the doctor’s hands BEFORE your appointment. This way the doctor has all the information at the time of the visit. This will streamline the assessment process and guide them to appropriate next steps.
Check with your insurance to see if referral paperwork is required. If so, make sure your doctor receives the referral BEFORE the appointment. Not only does this give the physician an opportunity to confer with the referring doctor, but your insurance company will have it on file so claims can go through smoothly.
Complete patient forms and appointment check in online. When you’re having pre-appointment anxiety (and everyone does!) there’s no better anxiety-buster than walking up to the reception desk and being told the office has everything they need. The initial hurdle of paperwork is complete.
What to Expect During a Doctor Appointment
Are you feeling anxious? You are not alone. A survey of patients revealed that “About two in five respondents felt anxious before going to an appointment with their provider. Additionally, 35 percent of respondents reported that both the waiting room and exam room cause them to feel anxious.”
While you’re in the waiting room, try to relax using breathing relaxation techniques or thinking of a calming phrase. Tell the staff and the doctor if you are anxious. They are there to help and don’t want anxiety to get in the way of a good doctor visit. Share your feelings so they can help put you at ease.
What to Expect After You are Taken Back to See the Doctor
- Vital Signs -Typically, the appointment begins with a staff member measuring your height and weight. After you are in the exam room, they will take your blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate. Sometimes an oxygen sensor will be painlessly placed on the end of your finger. You can ask for the results as they are taken if you like.
- If you need to change into a gown (also known as a flimsy paper towel thing!), it is most likely at this point when that will happen.
- ASK QUESTIONS AT ANY TIME DURING THE APPOINTMENT. It is YOUR appointment. It has been my experience that people fear the unknown more than the known. Kill fear by getting answers early and often.
- Routine Exam – After some brief pleasantries, the doctor will typically do a general exam where they observe the systems of the human body. This is where your ears, nose and throat may be examined, a stethoscope may be placed on your back to assess the lungs, and reflexes can be tested with a knock to your knees with a tiny hammer. If any part of the exam hurts or makes you uncomfortable, speak up right away. Accomodations can be made for your comfort or the exam can end. It’s ALWAYS your choice.
- Main exam. Now is the time to be very clear about your goals and objectives for this visit. Be prepared to explain symptoms in detail and respond to questions. This is A COLLABORATION between you and the doctor. If you are unsure about the doctor’s questions, ASK FOR CLARIFICATION. Good communication between you and the doctor is critical to a successful doctor appointment. If you’re unsure about what the doctor will ask, the list below is a sampling of questions commonly asked at doctor appointments.
Questions You May Be Asked:
- where is your pain/discomfort/symptom located? Can you show me?
- what’s it like? (Sharp, stabbing, throbbing etc.)
- does it radiate?
- when did it start?
- when/where/how does it happen/how long does it happen?
- does it come and go, or is it constant?
- does anything make it better or worse? (a particular movement/rest/environmental)
- has it been getting progressively better or worse?
- are there any other symptoms that you’ve noticed that are associated with the pain/symptom?
- do you have any problems taking [insert drug here]
- Differential diagnosis. After the examination, asking questions, and consideration, the doctor should offer a DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS also known as a working diagnosis. A differential diagnosis is the most likely cause of symptoms. The differential diagnosis will be used as the start point for further steps that may include medication, physical therapy, surgery, or a ‘wait and see’ philosophy.
- Ask your questions. Now that you have a working diagnosis and follow up steps, dig into your questions that haven’t been answered. Drill down into drug therapies and their side effects, referrals and their insurance network affiliations, and the benefits (or not) of taking no action. A doctor should take all of your questions seriously and answer you with respect. If the doctor has said something about your health that makes you uncomfortable or you don’t understand, follow up by asking, “When you said [insert medical term here], what does that mean?”.
- This is YOUR APPOINTMENT. While most appointments are fairly short, don’t feel rushed. This is YOUR time with the doctor. You can respect a doctor’s time while still getting the care you deserve. It’s OK to disagree with the doctor. You know your body best. Listen to your gut feeling about the doctor’s comments.
- Treatment options. You ALWAYS have options. Discuss the benefits and side effects of different treatment options. Remember, you don’t have to choose ANY of the suggested options. Once again, go back to your questions. Dig deep and get the information you need to make the best choice for your health. If you want time to think about which option to choose, tell the doctor that. Don’t feel pressured into making a decision at the appointment. It is YOUR body and YOUR health and YOUR right to choose.
Follow Up and Next Steps
Always leave a doctor appointment knowing the next step, who is responsible for it, and when it will happen. Maybe the next step is a referral to a physical therapist for an appointment next week. Or a referral consult is scheduled with a surgeon. If you’re not sure what the next step is, ask the doctor to confirm it before they leave the examination room. If you’re afraid you’ll forget, have the doctor write it down for you.
Review the doctor’s recommendations. Check with your insurance BEFORE you proceed with treatment or therapies to be sure of coverage. If you don’t have insurance, have limited coverage, or have a high deductible, consider self-paying for care. All providers are required to share self-pay pricing upon request. Shop around for services. You may be surprised at the differences in pricing between providers.
Conclusion
Going to the doctor can be intimidating. Studies have shown that being prepared can ease the anxiety of doctor visits. Use the tools and techniques we’ve shared to make your next appointment productive and collaborative. Advocating for your healthcare is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Take control of your healthcare today!
Let Patient Advocate Info help you get the confidence you need to speak up for yourself and your loved ones at the doctor.
Visit us at www.patientadvocateinfo.com to get the tools and resources you need today for a healthier tomorrow!
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