Getting the Most out of your Medical Appointments

Although we are all currently distracted and #stayinghome during the COVID-19 pandemic, I thought I could provide a few handy suggestions for the next time you have a medical appointment. Here are some tips from the front lines on how to get the most out of your appointment.

  Many offices are booked with patient appointments every 10-15 minutes, and this includes time for us to get your vital signs, ask detailed questions about your primary concern, perform any physical examinations and create a plan. There may be lot of relevant questions we will have once you tell us what has been going on. You may need to get into a gown to be able to be examined appropriately. I will review your past medical history and medications and come up with necessary investigations and a treatment plan with you. 

  When you think about all this, it is easy to see that managing multiple problems in each visit can get time consuming. I want to respect your time, and waiting for your doctor can be challenging, so it is important to let me know right away if you have multiple concerns for your visit so we can prioritize them and book you back if more time is needed.
     Bring all your medications and over the counter supplements, or an up to date list of the names, dosages, and how often you take them. I suggest all patients on multiple medications keep a small up to date list with them at all times in case of an emergency. Especially for medications like blood thinners, allergies, or anti seizure medication. This will help me confirm that my electronic medical record is up to date with your prescriptions.

Tell me, what are YOU most worried about? Do you have a sense of what might be going on? 

  Although many offices now have electronic health records, your record does not move completely seamlessly from office to hospitals, especially if you have multiple medical teams involved in your care. I think it is great when patients have their own health notebook where they keep health information, treatment changes, and notes from their appointments. That way you remain in charge and at the centre of your health care. This is especially handy if you attend medical appointments for your loved ones as their caregiver or health advocate. Write down questions you may have before the appointment, so you can refer to them as the visit proceeds. 

      All health care facilities will have different protocols that allow you to request copies of your tests, consultation notes, etc. If you move often, or visit specialists in different health facilities, some patients find it helpful to keep copies of their health records in a binder for their own reference. Be mindful that there is a cost to get copies of your notes, usually to cover printing and copying costs.

     In Ontario, most medically necessary medical visits, testing, and procedures are covered by OHIP. However here is a common list of requests which would be billed directly to the patient (or sometimes covered by extended health benecfits)

A. Sick notes

B. Notes for Massage, Chiropractor, Physiotherapist, Orthotics, Compression Stockings (when not part of the treatment plan advised by your medical team)

C. Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) for skin tags, warts located anywhere but the foot.

D. Lab work requested by the patient which is not deemed medically necessary by your physician

E. Travel health appointments

F. Travel vaccinations 

     I am human. You are human. I want to do my best to get the right diagnosis for your symptoms and work to getting your health to its best. Sometimes we get to the diagnosis and treatment in the first visit. Often, it takes multiple visits to complete the full history, testing and working together to get the full picture of your health and symptoms. You will wait in waiting rooms, you will wait for specialists, you will wait for testing results.