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Are you afraid to ask your doctor a question? Does your
doctor listen to you? Do you understand the instructions she
gives?
The days of house calls and paying for a doctor's visit
with a chicken or two are gone. Today, waiting rooms are
crowded and the average patient spends between 12 to 15
minutes with a physician during an average visit. To get the
most from the time with your doctor, start by building a
good relationship with your doctor.
A good relationship depends on open communication and
realistic expectations from both parties.
- Inform your doctor, don't overwhelm her with
unrelated details. Your doctor needs to inform you and
not overwhelm you with medical jargon.
- Be focused during the appointment. Don't digress from
the illness at hand. Expect your doctor to focus on you
during your appointment.
- Respect your doctor's time. Turn off your cell phone
and be on time. Your doctor should make every effort to
care for you during your appointment time.
Be prepared when you see your doctor:
- Write down the questions you have-and write down the
answers you get
- Make a list of the symptoms you're experiencing-don't
withhold information
- Bring a list of all the medications-prescribed,
over-the-counter, and herbal-you are taking
- Bring any necessary insurance papers or medical
records if you are seeing a doctor for the first
time
Speak up when you visit with your doctor. Ask your
physician what the problem is. Ask what, if any, tests are
necessary. Ask about treatment options. Ask about specific
medications prescribed. Ask what if any followup is needed.
Make sure you understand all your doctor's answers and
instructions.
"Repeat back to your doctor what you heard so she can
agree or clarify some information," says Richard Dobyns,
M.D., M.P.H., UI family medicine.
Then follow your doctor's advice. Take the prescribed
medication as instructed. Don't take medicine just until you
feel better. Complete the prescription. Follow her orders
regarding your activity level. If your condition changes,
let her know.
For a complete list of UI Family Care and UI Hospitals
and Clinics physicians, call UI
Health Access, 319-384-8442, ext. 1004 or 800-777-8442,
ext. 1004.
What to look for
Your needs should determine the kind of health care
provider you select. Here are several things to consider
when making this important decision:
Is the doctor trained in the areas important to you and
your family?
If you are looking for a general family
physician, a specialist might not be the best choice.
Is the doctor board certified?
Board certification means the doctor has
successfully completed approved educational and training
programs and evaluation processes in his or her
specialty.
Is the doctor available to you through your health plan?
If you are changing health coverage, be sure
your doctor is on the insurance's preferred provider
list. If not listed, ask how this doctor can be added to
the provider list.
Does the facility where you go for health care offer a
full range of services, from primary care to specialty care?
Be sure this facility is on your insurance's
preferred provider list. If not, ask how this facility
can be added to the provider list.
More information:
Listed above is a Web site that offers additional
information on this topic. University of Iowa Health Care
does not sponsor or endorse these sites, or guarantee the
accuracy of the information contained on these sites. These
links are here for general information only, and should not
be used for personal diagnosis or treatment. If you have any
questions, please contact UI
Health Access.
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