Relationship Advice: How to Talk to Your Doctor

It is official...Marcus Welby is dead! His assassins,your doctor about his family Doctors are human
managed care and medical malpractice are still atbeings with human lives and problems.When a
large.The days of house calls and familiaritypatient asked about my family my engine
between doctor and patient are going the way ofautomatically slowed down and a smile came to
vinyl records. What may be surprising to many ismy face.I was grateful for the break in the
that the majority of doctors are just as angryaction.I found myself making sure that all of that
and frustrated with the situation as thepatient's questions were answered.Ask your
patients.As a physician, I have had the opportunitydoctor how the malpractice crisis is affecting him
to experience this dilemma from both sides; as aWhen patients asked me this question I always
doctor and as a patient. The following 7 tipsforgot how busy I was. I gave them a passionate
include gestures that I responded to favorably asanswer. I made sure all their questions were
a doctor and actions that aided me as aanswered and that they were satisfied before
patient.Have your insurance and personalthey left the office.Ask your doctor how the
information updated and ready prior to your visit.healthcare crisis is affecting him. I loved it when
Nothing slows down the front office more thanpatients asked me this question. It gave me a
unprepared patients.If all patients are preparedchance to explain the problems with managed
with the above information the office staff is lesscare and how the increasing doctor shortage was
stressed, delays are avoided, and the amount ofinfluencing patient volume and waiting time. I
time you spend waiting for the doctor isalways walked away from that patient encounter
reduced.This tip avoids stress on both sides offeeling a little lighter. the patient usually walked
the fence.Have a list of your current medicationsaway with a bag of any drug samples he needed.
with you at your visit. You would be surprisedAt the end of the day, after seeing 50 patients
how many patients take medication withoutand answering countless phone calls, that patient's
knowing the name or dose of what they arename and face remained in my mind.Use the first
taking.Take responsibility for your health by4 tips to be a responsible patient and to take
knowing what you are putting into your body.In aownership of your health. Use the last 3 to be a
busy primary care office medication changeshuman being, and to help your doctor remember
sometimes may not be charted. This can causewhy he became a doctor in the first place.Dr.
the wrong medication to be prescribed on a refillMessina became a Board Certified Family
request.Knowing your medication name and dosePractitioner in 1985. He had a solo practice until
helps prevent medication errors.Have a list of1994. At that time he helped form a group Family
your symptoms with you at your visit. You canPractice in which he was Vice President. He left
help your doctor arrive at a speedy, accurategroup practice in 1997 and became Medical
diagnosis by having a list of symptoms which areDirector of a Wellness Center. He was responsible
specific to your complaint.This saves the doctorfor coordinating the efforts of nutritionists,
from having to perform a complete review ofacupuncturists, massage therapists, exercise
systems to look for clues.Have a list of questionsphysiologists, and Chinese medicine practitioners
prepared. Prepare a few reasonable questions forinto patient care plans.He entered clinical research
your visit,keeping in mind that time is ain 2000. He has been the Principal Investigator in
factor.Common questions come up frequently,andover 50 clinical trials involving osteoarthritis,
in many cases the nurse can give you andiabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia,
adequate answer.If the nurse is unable to answerchronic pain, depression, anxiety, dry eye,
your question she will often alert the doctor tomigraine, and diabetes prevention. He has served
the question before you are seen.This often helpsas a consultant to a nutritional company, and has
the doctor prepare in advance, so your questionformulated nutritional supplements.Visit Dr.
can be answered in a rapid, concise manner.Ask