To get the most out of each visit, we need to be prepared for our doctor’s appointment. But how do we do that if having a doctor’s appointment can be intimidating. The sterility, the hurry up and wait atmosphere, the white coats, the illness…..trust me, I know no one likes coming to see me! The only reason I can go to my appointments or feel comfortable in hospitals is exposure therapy- my job has desensitized me. It’s one thing when we are just there for an annual checkup and generally feel great, but when we feel horrible or have symptoms that are hard to explain, we can get overwhelmed and easily forget some of the key things we wanted to go over. Our time with the doctor is so limited, the rushed feeling can put us off guard as well. This leaves many of us unsatisfied and not completely cared for.
What we can do to prepare
Every situation is obviously unique, but being a patient is not a passive job. As patients we have to bring our full selves to the visit, ready to collaborate with the doctor. That means we know why we are there (ex: why we were given a referral), what we have been through (ie our medical history), what we are taking (ie our medications and supplements) and what we hope to get out of it (our goals).
In the video above I discuss what we can all do, as patients, to make the appointment go smoothly. We deserve all the time and attention our doctors can give, but we have to be active participants too!
*Worksheets are available upon request, contact us here*
In good health,