Going to the doctor?

Maybe an apple a day has not kept you away but here are some things your may need to know!

1.  Schedule your appointment for the very first slot of the day or the very first after lunch.  That way, you won't have the LONG waits we all so dread.  AND show up on time.  If you are even a stitch late, it ruins it for everyone the remainder of the day.

2.  Have a list of ALL medications you are currently taking and a family health history if you can obtain one. This helps even when seeing specialists (surgeons, dermatologists, etc).  It makes the time go faster for you and less "stupid" questions asked by your doctor.

And as a courtesy, please do not complain about having to wait so to see the doctor for only 5 minutes sometimes.  There are many reasons why you have the wait and why your visits are so short:

1.  If they are affiliated with a hospital, their higher ups are always pushing for them to increase the number of patients they see in a day.  So this means less time for you and all others that come to see the Dr.  Some docs are even cutting back on the number of new patients they accept to allow more time for the ones they already have.  So yes, some a really trying to focus on patient care. SO that leads me to #2....

2.  If a doc is running behind when coming to see you, often times they have had many things happen: a. A patient before you showed up late.  (RUDE!) b. They had a new patient come in and the patient had NO past medical history with them and the Doc had to spend time asking all the stupid questions both YOU and THEY hate having to ask EVERY TIME you come in.  c.  They are striving to improve patient care so they take the time to actually talk to their patients and HEAR what they are saying.

So, if you follow those simple rules, you'll be complaining less, having (hopefully) shorter wait times at the doc office and improvement in doctor/patient relationships and patient care.  Just remember: some doctors do really care about their patients.  SO care about your doctor.  It's not all roses being a doctor when there are constant cuts in medicine and pushy higher ups.