How to get the most out of your doctor's appointment

 

How to get the most out of your doctor's appointment Our medical system has some challenges (understatement). If you are in the position of looking for a provider, assuming you have choices, here are some things to consider: What is the process for asking follow up questions or non urgent questions in between appointments? Is there an advice nurse? Do they use email or a patient portal? What is the expected response time? Is the office convenient? On a Friday afternoon (when all the kids get sick) it is better to be able to avoid crossing a bridge. Is there parking? If you are managing a baby and stroller, this can be a bigger issue than you think. How long are the appointments: acute care as well as routine check ups.These can vary significantly from practice to practice. What is the practice’s vaccination policy?  Is there a separate waiting room for sick and well children? Spoiler alert, most practices do not, but they might schedule sick and well appointments separately. What are their urgent care options for after hours? What do I do when my kid has a fever at 3am? What is their comfort level with trying complimentary or natural treatments (this may be more important to some of you than others). If it is a specialist, is there a nurse practitioner that you can address questions to? Do they take your insurance? What hospitals/specialists are they affiliated with? Does the pediatric practice visit newborns in the hospital? If they don’t, what is the best way to let the practice know that the baby has been born to schedule the first appointments? Does the practice have recommendations for: Managing visitors to the house after the baby is born? Hepatitis B vaccination in the hospital or at the practice? Vitamin K (...just get it!) Cord blood banking? It is a challenge for many parents to figure out what to do with all the little concerns that come up. If something has you really worried, then by all means call your doctor, but for so many things, you probably don’t need a special appointment. I’m talking about the things like the strange shriek that seems to happen every night at 2:41 am, or that little red spot on the back of the thigh that has been there for a while but doesn’t seem to be changing or bothering anyone (but you). But keep a ‘shopping list’ of sorts. I suggest creating a little document that you share with all caregivers. This can help make sure that when you do have a scheduled appointment, you bring all of these things up. I also strongly recommend doing your homework and taking a look at these common questions/discussion points that come up at many of these routine appointments. Go ahead and flag anything that feels like it needs to be focused on and add it to your list. Even the best and most caring doctor has limited time during routine appointments to often do a comprehensive exam while addressing all concerns that you have. This makes it even more important to maximize the time that you have. While you have the right to have questions answered in a way that you understand, it can be helpful to be organized. That is where that little list comes in. Let the doctor know at the beginning of the appointment what is on your mind, rather than an “oh by the way” as they are heading out the door. Even better: Dr. Ted likes it if patients send their lists the day before the appointment, so that he might have an opportunity to answer those questions virtually before you get there! What to bring with you to the doctor appointment Your list of questions and discussion points Updated insurance card Any forms for school or camp A change of clothes, count on the fact that they will pee or poop all over the place, and a plastic bag to pack out poopy diapers if those occur. If cold/ flu season bring some activities from home so that they aren’t touching the communal toys. For older kids: shot blockers, simple little items to decrease the pain of injections. A little cold pack to put on the injection site prior to the shot (some offices will offer that). Preparation and some playing before the appointment can go a long way towards making the appointment easier. Don’t stress if your little one starts screaming before you even park. I had one of those. You are not alone. There are things that you can do: Read some books. There are tons of good ones out there. Or tell a story about another child who was scared and talk about things that you can do to make it easier. A little toy doctor kit is a worthy investment for kids 18 months and older.  If you allow some screen time (in small doses some can be quite nice) then scope out some little videos that can help prepare your little one for an appointment. Tell the office ahead of time if you have a really doctor/shot phobic kid. When I was working at the pediatric office, my medical assistant Josie and I were the dream team and people would actually schedule appointments when they knew we would both be there. Josie was so good at giving shots that for years, even when she had aged out of the pediatrician, my daughter Alana would only let Josie be the one who gave her the annual flu shot. If you have an appointment for something more complicated... Forgive yourself for not knowing all the medical terminology. If you don’t know what something means or something doesn’t make sense, ask! If possible, have an extra adult with you. That extra set of ears can be really helpful. They can also be in charge of stopping the toddler from licking the exam table, so that you can be less distracted. I hope you all find excellent providers to help you and your family stay healthy.