Make the Most of Time with Your Doctor

If you have ever walked out of the doctor's office and realized you forgot to reveal key information to your doctor, you're not alone. Many unprepared patients walk in with aches and pains, only to walk out with incomplete diagnoses and accompanying disappointment.

But by respecting your time and your doctor's, and by treating your appointment like a 10-minute business meeting, you can optimize the time. When it comes to your health care, it's as much about quality time as it is about quantity of time.

"Of course, your relationship with your doctor must be based on trust and a mutual goal of good health," says health care advocate M.D. Messina, author of "Health Care Self-Defense" at www.HealthCareSelfDefense.com. "So it's important not to be intimidated. You are in control of your appointment. You have scheduled and are paying for this time to be with your doctor. You are not just a patient. You are the customer.

Be responsible. You are not a victim in this encounter. Rather, you are an equal partner. Only you have the information the doctor needs to make sure you don't leave your appointment disappointed.

Knowing how to manage your time with your doctor is the first step to avoid feeling like a victim. This also means managing your medical information and being prepared for your next appointment. Here are some guidelines from Messina's book, "Health Care Self-Defense," to get you started:

• Give the doctor written facts, with your most troublesome concerns listed first.

• Have your past medical and drug history in an easy-to-access notebook.

• Record your current symptoms by time, severity and frequency.

• Limit your personal conversation and stick to the medical reason you're there.

You expect your doctor to show you the courtesy of being informed. Show the doctor the same courtesy. It is your responsibility in this relationship to do the following:

• Provide medical background information.

• Answer detailed questions.

• Challenge the doctor's opinion at any time if you think he doesn't understand you.

Remember, you share the responsibility for the quality of health care you receive. Thus, be specific when you describe your symptoms.  Get to the level of detail that helps your doctor understand your condition. This will help your doctor help you.

• Tell the doctor exactly where and how it hurts.

• If something is uncomfortable, let the doctor know.

• Tell the doctor the truth. Do not dramatize or exaggerate.  Don't downplay what's happening either.

• Don't be embarrassed. This is your health!

• Be honest. Lying or withholding information from your doctor will only delay proper treatment. Never assume your doctor knows what you're thinking or feeling.

Your doctor is a trained professional.  Think of this person as a mechanic for your body.

You wouldn't be embarrassed if your car were leaking fluids, so don't be embarrassed to tell your doctor if your parts are not performing. Tell the doctor as precisely as you can what the problem is.

Then, be patient and allow the doctor silence while she mentally reviews your medical history and aligns those facts with the exam findings. As your doctor thinks about all the facts you've given, do a quick mental recap. Ask yourself the following:

• Have I communicated everything I need to?

• Did I tell my doctor everything I came here to say?

When your doctor comes back with a diagnosis, make sure he gives you answers that you understand.  Record your doctor's comments in a notebook or on a tape recorder if you have trouble remembering them. Let your doctor repeat the information and clarify how she made the diagnosis. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

When your appointment is finished, reflect on your interaction with your doctor. Was it productive? Did your doctor ask you information that you could not provide details for?

Were you clear and concise about your symptoms? Did the doctor answer all your questions? When you left the doctor's office, did you feel you understood what you were told?

Remember a doctor's visit is like a business appointment. By treating it as such, you'll get the best possible health care at the lowest cost. You'll save you and your doctor time and money.