Health Management Tips, Medical Update Form - circle of health

August 2008 - Vol 3 Issue 8

Take Charge of Your Health
3 tips for getting the best medical care
by Michelle Gibeault Traub, R.D.

Who do you think is in charge of your health? Your doctor…your spouse…your parents? While all of these people take interest in your overall wellbeing, only you are truly responsible for your health. Our current health care system typically focuses on physicians as the primary gatekeepers of information. With large patient loads, this is a heavy burden for any practitioner to bear, so it is important for all patients to take an active role in their own care. The result is patient empowerment that will make you feel a whole lot better.

1. Keep Your Own Records

Rather than assume your medical chart is up-to-date, maintain your own file of medical reports and labs. A few years ago after receiving particularly poor treatment from my physician, I decided to switch doctors. As a result, I requested a copy of my medical records for my new doctor. In the process, I made a copy for myself which turned out to be an eye-opening experience. The records included abnormal lab results that no one had ever discussed with me. I had assumed that since I never received a phone call from my doctor that everything was fine, but that was not the case. While I’d like to think this was a simple oversight, I know that it is all too common for lab reports to go missing or to get buried in a chart never to be seen again. Now I keep copies of all my medical information, especially lab work. In addition, I make sure to get my blood work done before an office visit, so that my doctor will be able to review the results with me.

2. Do Your Homework, But Not Too Much

My former doctor would roll his eyes at me every time I arrived for an appointment. His rude behavior was in response to the stack of Internet research I gave him documenting the latest findings on my medical conditions. While I still believe he could have been a bit more compassionate, I understand why he reacted the way he did. After all, I was going to him for his medical expertise, and there I was trying to play doctor. He must have been pretty insulted. Likewise, I’m sure he was aware that much of what can be found on the Internet is not helpful, and in some cases can even be harmful. Now when I have a symptom that I can’t explain, I review reliable Internet sites (see “Resources” below) for some possible causes, and take notes on conditions to bring up if my doctor is unable to come up with her own conclusion. Then, when I have an appointment, I simply present my symptoms objectively allowing my physician to make an educated diagnosis. Most of the time, my doctor is able to address my symptoms and concerns without me ever bringing up the research I had found. This is truly a win/win situation, because the doctor knows that I value and trust her opinion, while I know that I am still an active participant in my care.

3. RELAX, Listen, and Review

I can’t tell you how many times I have arrived to a medical appointment with my file of lab results and a list of questions only to completely forget to address these items with my doctor! I think the stress of even being in the doctor’s office gives me temporary amnesia. Now, I focus on providing the lab work and pertinent issues right up front – as in immediately when the doctor enters the room. That way I don’t forget and I can focus the rest of our appointment on actually paying attention to what my doctor is saying vs. trying to remember what I needed to ask. I even developed a 1-page “ Medical Update Form” that includes an overview of all of my current information. By having this tool with me at all medical appointments I don’t worry about forgetting vital details. In addition, it maximizes my doctor’s time by giving her all the pertinent information in one place. I find it somewhat difficult to take notes during appointments, so I leave a pen and notebook in my car where I can quickly jot down a summary of the visit before ever leaving the parking lot. I have also taken to ending an appointment with a recap just so I am sure I know the plan. For instance, I might say, “so you want me to have blood work next month, and then you will call me with the results, is that right?” It may seem silly, but it is amazing how this little extra effort makes all the difference in insuring that we are both on the same page.

RESOURCES

A Special Gift for Women’s “circle of health” Readers
Download a FREE Tool for Streamlining Doctors Appointments
This Medial Update Form enables you to have all of your most pertinent medical information in one place. You can update the MS Word version using your computer, or you can simply print out the .PDF form and fill it in by hand.
Click Here for Word Doc; Click Here for .PDF

Reliable Health Web Sites (Links will open in a new browser window)

References

Cohen, Elizabeth. 5 mistakes women make at the doctor’s office. CNN.com. May 15, 2008. retrieved 8/18/08 LINK (Opens in new window)