Seniors and Pain
Dos and Don'ts at the Doctor's
Building a good doctor/caregiver relationship is based on clear communication about your – and your loved one’s – goals, needs and expectations regarding care and treatment. This, of course, is easier said than done – especially if you’re stressed out, tired, worried or just plain confused.
Following are some dos and don’ts on how to develop a cooperative partnership to ensure your loved one receives the best care possible both in and out of the doctor’s office.
DO: Respect the Rules
Familiarize yourself with the rules of the doctor’s office and make every effort to follow them. For example, many offices require 24 hours notice for cancelled appointments or do not accept credit cards for copayment. Learning what is expected on your end and treating the office staff and its procedures with respect, helps smooth and speed the process.
DON’T: Offer Up Your Own Diagnosis
Given the amount of health information available online, patients and caregivers alike can sometimes become overly informed about conditions and treatments. While your educated guesses may be helpful, remember they are only guesses. Try to let the doctor come to his or her own conclusions before jumping in with your own.
DO: Ask Plenty of Questions
Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions. It is your responsibility, right and duty as a caregiver to seek the best medical care possible and that includes a doctor who takes the time to answer questions. If you feel your or your loved one’s questions are going unanswered, don’t be afraid to tell the doctor you are still confused and need more information.
DON’T: Give the Doctor Your Divided Attention
Show the doctor you respect him or her by remaining focused for the length of the visit. Turn off your cell phone and make every effort to leave other family members not involved in care decisions in the waiting room or at home.
DO: Stick to the Task at Hand
A quick flu shot visit is not the best time to bring up a laundry list of worries and concerns about your loved one’s health. Instead, schedule a follow-up appointment when the doctor will have more time to speak with you. The clearer you are about your expectations at the time you make the appointment, the better prepared the doctor will be to offer his or her expertise during the appointment.
DON’T: Talk and Talk and Talk and Talk
Give the doctor a brief summary of the issue(s), and then listen to his or her questions rather than immediately jumping in with more details. One of the most important things a good doctor knows is what to ask, so let them lead the conversation. If you tend to lose focus, jot down a list of discussion points to cover and try to go through it one-by-one.
DO: Speak Up!
If you are the medical guardian of your parent or child and they are either too young, too old or too sick to speak about their medical history themselves, it is perfectly reasonable for you to take that role. Remember to be especially diplomatic with older adults (or surly teenagers) who may take offense at being “spoken for.” Try to work out who will be the chief medical historian and speaker before you enter the doctor’s office.
DON’T: Leave the Office Without Knowing What to Do Next
Make sure you don’t leave the office without a proper understanding of any follow-up tests, treatment or medication your loved one needs to get better. Take notes about instructions or timetables, and remember to ask if you are unsure how to give prescribed care.
DO: Keep in Touch
Don’t forget that your responsibility to the doctor – and the patient – extends past the front door of his or her office. If your loved one is not getting better (within the expected time period) or has additional symptoms, let the doctor know as soon as possible.
DON’T Keep in Too Good of Touch!
Though the doctor wants to hear from you, be mindful of calling during non-working hours. Using the phone to report symptoms can save you and the doctor from needless and expensive appointments, but don’t become a nuisance. Many times, nurses or nurse practitioners can answer non-urgent questions. And if you’re unsure what your doctor’s policy is about off-hours communication, ask!
Your Doctor’s Job is to…
Help you monitor your loved one’s health and condition
Explain your loved one’s condition and treatment, as well as what you can expect
Diagnose your loved one’s illness, or refer you to someone who can
Treat your loved one through this illness – and beyond
Provide referrals to other medical care professionals and work with them to manage your loved one’s care.
Following are some dos and don’ts on how to develop a cooperative partnership to ensure your loved one receives the best care possible both in and out of the doctor’s office.
DO: Respect the Rules
Familiarize yourself with the rules of the doctor’s office and make every effort to follow them. For example, many offices require 24 hours notice for cancelled appointments or do not accept credit cards for copayment. Learning what is expected on your end and treating the office staff and its procedures with respect, helps smooth and speed the process.
DON’T: Offer Up Your Own Diagnosis
Given the amount of health information available online, patients and caregivers alike can sometimes become overly informed about conditions and treatments. While your educated guesses may be helpful, remember they are only guesses. Try to let the doctor come to his or her own conclusions before jumping in with your own.
DO: Ask Plenty of Questions
Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions. It is your responsibility, right and duty as a caregiver to seek the best medical care possible and that includes a doctor who takes the time to answer questions. If you feel your or your loved one’s questions are going unanswered, don’t be afraid to tell the doctor you are still confused and need more information.
DON’T: Give the Doctor Your Divided Attention
Show the doctor you respect him or her by remaining focused for the length of the visit. Turn off your cell phone and make every effort to leave other family members not involved in care decisions in the waiting room or at home.
DO: Stick to the Task at Hand
A quick flu shot visit is not the best time to bring up a laundry list of worries and concerns about your loved one’s health. Instead, schedule a follow-up appointment when the doctor will have more time to speak with you. The clearer you are about your expectations at the time you make the appointment, the better prepared the doctor will be to offer his or her expertise during the appointment.
DON’T: Talk and Talk and Talk and Talk
Give the doctor a brief summary of the issue(s), and then listen to his or her questions rather than immediately jumping in with more details. One of the most important things a good doctor knows is what to ask, so let them lead the conversation. If you tend to lose focus, jot down a list of discussion points to cover and try to go through it one-by-one.
DO: Speak Up!
If you are the medical guardian of your parent or child and they are either too young, too old or too sick to speak about their medical history themselves, it is perfectly reasonable for you to take that role. Remember to be especially diplomatic with older adults (or surly teenagers) who may take offense at being “spoken for.” Try to work out who will be the chief medical historian and speaker before you enter the doctor’s office.
DON’T: Leave the Office Without Knowing What to Do Next
Make sure you don’t leave the office without a proper understanding of any follow-up tests, treatment or medication your loved one needs to get better. Take notes about instructions or timetables, and remember to ask if you are unsure how to give prescribed care.
DO: Keep in Touch
Don’t forget that your responsibility to the doctor – and the patient – extends past the front door of his or her office. If your loved one is not getting better (within the expected time period) or has additional symptoms, let the doctor know as soon as possible.
DON’T Keep in Too Good of Touch!
Though the doctor wants to hear from you, be mindful of calling during non-working hours. Using the phone to report symptoms can save you and the doctor from needless and expensive appointments, but don’t become a nuisance. Many times, nurses or nurse practitioners can answer non-urgent questions. And if you’re unsure what your doctor’s policy is about off-hours communication, ask!
Your Doctor’s Job is to…
Help you monitor your loved one’s health and condition
Explain your loved one’s condition and treatment, as well as what you can expect
Diagnose your loved one’s illness, or refer you to someone who can
Treat your loved one through this illness – and beyond
Provide referrals to other medical care professionals and work with them to manage your loved one’s care.