| Keep Lists |
Write down your medical history, diagnoses, key lab tests, surgeries,doctor's appointment, hospitalizations, allergies, immunizations and medications. Keep them with you. |
| Take your Meds with you to the Dr. |
Take your medications and over the counter ones with you to your doctor and ask about dangerous interactions. |
| Keep a list of questons |
Keep a list of concerns and take them with you to your doctor's appointment -- examples What is this test for? How many times have you done this before? Are there any side effects? Complications? Alternatives? Do I need surgery? What is the best hospital? When do I get results? What will they tell me? Benefits, Accuracy? How do you spell that? How can I find out more information? |
| Ask Questions |
Ask questions, found out how to ask more questions as they come up later. |
| You keep a record - take notes |
Ask your doctor to keep a record of what you have talked about |
| Take a friend |
Have them take notes and tell them to ask questions that you haven't thought of. |
| Keep a symptom diary |
Write down key symptoms of how you feel, and why you made the appointment. |
| Test Results |
Track down test results, find out the details of what happened during the procedure, don't count on someone to contact you. |
| Know your options |
Always ask your treatment options and what the side effects and results will be. Will there be pain and how it will be treated. |
| Tests |
How is the test done, how do I prepare, how accurate is the test, benefits, what it the test for? |
