| How well you and your doctor talk to each | | | | 10. If the physician provides a diagnosis, |
| other is one of the most important parts of | | | | you might ask: What may have caused this |
| getting good health care. It takes time and | | | | condition? Is it permanent? How is this |
| effort on your part and the doctor's part. In | | | | condition treated or managed? What are the |
| the past, the doctor took the lead and the | | | | long term effects on my life? How can I learn |
| patient followed. | | | | more about this condition? |
| | | | |
| Today, a good patient-doctor relationship is | | | | 11. When the doctor prescribes a new |
| more of a partnership. You and your doctor | | | | medication, you might ask: What are the |
| should work as a team with all healthcare | | | | common side effects? When will the medicine |
| providers to solve your medical problems and | | | | begin to work? What should I do if I miss a |
| keep you healthy. This means asking questions | | | | dose? Should I take the medicine at meals or |
| if the doctor's explanation or instructions | | | | between meals? Should I drink a whole glass |
| are unclear, bringing up problems even if the | | | | of water? Should I avoid any foods, drugs, or |
| doctor doesn't ask, and letting the doctor | | | | activities while taking this medicine? Will I |
| know about your concerns about a treatment or | | | | need a refill? Keep a record of all your |
| change in your daily life. | | | | medications at home and accessible to a |
| | | | family member in an emergency. |
| The patient needs to take an active role in | | | | |
| his own medical care. This becomes even more | | | | When the doctor writes a prescription, it is |
| important as you age because you may have | | | | important to understand the directions for |
| more health conditions to discuss. And, your | | | | taking the medication. Sometimes doctors or |
| health has a big impact on most other parts | | | | pharmacists use abbreviations that you see on |
| of your life. | | | | the prescription labels. The most common |
| | | | abbreviations are indicated in the box |
| The first step is to get ready for your | | | | below.p.r.n as neededa.c. before mealsq.d |
| doctor's appointment: | | | | every dayp.c. after mealsb.i.d. twice a |
| | | | dayh.s. at bedtimet.i.d. three times a |
| 1. Make a list of questions and concerns with | | | | dayp.o. by mouthq.i.d. four times a dayea. |
| the most important first. | | | | each |
| | | | |
| 2. Take your prescriptions or a list of | | | | 12. Take notes and repeat what the doctor |
| prescriptions with dosages. This list | | | | says to you to make sure you understood his |
| includes prescription drugs, over the counter | | | | answers. Ask for written or recorded |
| drugs, vitamins, and herbal remedies. | | | | information about the medical diagnosis, if |
| | | | you want to know more. |
| 3. Take information with you: your insurance | | | | |
| card, the names and phone numbers of other | | | | Finally, the key to your understanding is |
| doctors who care for you, and your medical | | | | your involvement in making decisions with the |
| records. | | | | doctor about your treatment and prevention of |
| | | | medical conditions. Discuss choices that |
| 4. Bring eyeglasses and wear hearing aid if | | | | reveal the risks and benefits of each |
| you use them. | | | | treatment plan. Also, consider your own |
| | | | values and circumstances when selecting an |
| 5. Consider bringing a relative or friend for | | | | option. Will a side effect interfere with a |
| reminders and to take notes for you. | | | | regular activity that is important to you? Or |
| | | | is one treatment too expensive or not covered |
| 6. Bring an interpreter if your primary | | | | by your insurance? The doctor may be able to |
| language is not English. | | | | take these practical considerations in mind |
| | | | when recommending options of care. |
| 7. Tell your doctor about yourself and your | | | | |
| habits so he can understand your medical | | | | If a certain disease or health condition runs |
| conditions fully and recommend the best | | | | in your family, the doctor may be able to |
| treatment choices for you. | | | | recommend preventative measures. Sometimes |
| | | | the progress of a medical problem can be |
| 8. Share information about your symptoms with | | | | controlled by changing life habits. Could a |
| as much detail as possible. | | | | change in your life habits help you? What are |
| | | | the risks of making changes? Are there |
| How often? When? Getting worse or better? How | | | | support groups or community services |
| do they affect your daily life? Examples of | | | | available to help you with the medical |
| symptoms include pain, fever, cough, lump, | | | | condition? |
| weight change, sleep problems. | | | | |
| | | | During your next visit to your physician, |
| 9. If the physician wants to conduct a | | | | remember to make good use of your time. Be |
| medical test, you might want to know the | | | | honest about yourself and your habits, decide |
| answers to these questions: Why is the test | | | | which questions are most important, stick to |
| being done? What does the test involve? Are | | | | the point, and share your point of view about |
| there any dangers or side-effect? When and | | | | the visit in a positive way, so that every |
| how will you get the test results? What will | | | | visit can become an effective tool in |
| you know after the test? | | | | maintaining your health. |
| | | | |