In the following weeks I’ll be referring almost exclusively to a booklet written by the National Institute on Aging working with the National Institutes of Health called: Talking With Your Doctor. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 05-3452 August 2005 (Reprinted April 2010)
Getting Ready for the Appointment
The hope with this section is that the better prepared you are the better results you will get. A list is important as we tend to forget what it was that we wanted to discuss or compare or…well, you get the idea. Here are some examples the booklet suggests:
[D]o you have a new symptom you want to ask the doctor about? Do you want to get a flu shot? Are you concerned about how a treatment is affecting your daily life?
I thought about other items:
Did you check for interactions between medications? How do I stop smoking? Lose weight? I’m having bladder issues, what do I do?
Of course, you have to remember to bring the list with you! Oh, and take your glasses and hearing aid with you. This is NOT a time for vanity!
The booklet continues:
Consider bringing a family member or friend —
Sometimes it is helpful to bring a family member or close friend with you. Let your family member or friend know in advance what you want from your visit. Your companion can remind you what you planned to discuss with the doctor if you forget, she or he can take notes for you, and can help you remember what the doctor said. If you need an interpreter you can and should bring one.
Next week: What Can I Say – Giving Information
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