Making the Most of the Medical Visit
It’s officially Spring Season here in the United States, and for many, this is a time of renewal , spring cleaning and fresh starts. I can’t help but recommend this be a time for a fresh start for your personal health. It doesn’t matter from where you start as we can all benefit from interventions to optimize health and well-being. Regular medical check ups are an important part of this plan, so if it has been awhile since you have had a check up, consider making an appointment with your health care provider.
Before you roll your eyes, hear me out!
I know from my own experience that a doctor’s visit can bring a mix of emotions —anticipation, anxiety, maybe frustration? These can be heightened if you have to wait a long time for the visit or hope to address a long-standing issue. Sometimes making an appointment is the last thing you want to do.
Yes, there are things that your provider should do to optimize your visit — but there are some key things you can do to prepare and enhance your visit experience. These are tips I’ve picked up in my almost 2 decades in the medical field.
I’m sure these are things you’ve heard before, but since repetition is a great teacher, here goes:
Write Down Your Questions and Concerns
Sometimes it’s like our mind goes blank in the moment! So, write down your concerns/questions ahead of time. (You can do this in your phone, or go old school with pen and paper — just be sure to bring the list with you!)
Narrow Down Your Key Concern
We’ve all been there. We had that ONE key issue we wanted to discuss; however, driving through traffic, filling out paperwork, getting weighed and answering the doctor’s questions all conspired to cause us to forget our most important question. (It’s like going to the store for bread and getting everything else, but bread!). When you write down your questions as noted above, highlight/star the most important one! The visit time is limited, so prioritizing one key topic is very helpful. Bonus points if you can submit this question ahead of time, stating if as the reason for the appointment.
All that said, as healthcare providers, it is crucial for us to create a welcoming environment where patients feel comfortable asking questions about their health. But as imperfect humans under external pressures, we may sometimes overlook the opportunity for patients to voice their concerns. If you ever feel that there is not enough space for your questions during a medical consultation, do not hesitate to gently remind us!
Consider bringing a friend/loved one to the Visit
If appropriate, consider bringing a loved one or trusted friend with you to the clinic visit. They may help you remember key details and questions. They may be able to provide answers unknown to you (e.g. if you snore in your sleep) and can offer support.
Note your Medications/supplements
It is really helpful (and safer for you!) if you’re doctor has a list of all the medications, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. This helps your doctor have a better picture of your health and importantly, may provide information to better elucidate your current concern. Also, if your doctor wants to prescribe/recommend other medications or supplements, it’s important for them to know what you’re already taking to avoid unintended side effects/interactions! Even over the counter herbs can interact with medications.
Record/Share Your Medical History
In the US, our medical system can be quite fractured, and one doctor doesn’t always have access to notes from another doctor. Be prepared to discuss your medical history, including any past surgeries, hospitalizations, or significant illnesses. Some electronic medical records may offer you the option to enter this information (or answering questionnaires) electronically before the visit, which can certainly save time during the visit!
Be Honest!
A good doctor is there to help, not judge! Letting them know your habits, diets and symptoms is incredibly helpful. Accurate/complete Information helps doctors connect the dots and hopefully address your concerns more effectively.
What If You Have Sleep Specific Concerns?
Ask A Friend/Family/Roommate
The unique aspect of sleep is that you’re not conscious when you’re doing it, so there may be things you do in your sleep that you aren’t aware of. So, if possible, ask loved ones or roommates if they notice anything about your sleep that is concerning. They may notice snoring/pauses in breathing or sleep behaviors (e.g. sitting up in bed, walking around, flailing arms/legs) that would be helpful to mention to your sleep doctor.
Consider Your Sleep Symptoms
Below are just a few questions to consider in advance of your visit:
Do you snore or have times when you gasp for air when sleeping?
Do you wake up with a headache?
Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Or both?
Do you feel the urge to move your legs when trying to rest/sleep? Is this disruptive?
Are you sleepy during the day? Do you feel the urge to sleep during boring activities?
Do you keep the same sleep/wake schedule most days, or does it vary?
Are you happy with your sleep?
Have you awakened in the middle of the night unable to move for a few seconds?
Keep a Sleep Log
If you’re worried about daytime sleepiness, or insomnia a sleep diary can be particularly helpful to help determine patterns and potential contributors. This is one of the best tools of a sleep doctor as it can help diagnose a variety of sleep disorders including: insomnia, insufficient sleep, circadian rhythm disorders, or hypersomnia.
For about 1-2 weeks, on the morning you wake up, take note of when you went into bed and when you think you fell asleep.
Note when you woke up in the morning and when you got out of bed.
Note any medications, exercise or naps, or middle of the night awakenings.
Access a free printable Sleep Log.
Be Open to Recommendations:
One key aspect of sleep medicine practice is that it is multifactorial in nature. Often the sleep complaint is a symptom of another problem, and a sleep specialist may recommend a seemingly non-sequitur path to better address the underlying problem. Of course, ensure your voice is heard, but be open to a care plan you may not have considered.
Ask for Clarification!
If you don’t understand something, please ask for clarification! If there is a part of your treatment recommendations that you don’t understand - ask! If your doctor runs out of time in the visit, inquiry how else you can ask questions. (They may recommend another visit, a patient portal, etc…)
The Institute for HealthCare Improvement Launched the Ask Me 3® educational program, intended to empower patients during healthcare visits by encouraging them to ask 3 fundamental questions during the visit:
What is the main problem?
What do I need to do?
Why is it important for me to do this?
Remember, your doctor's appointment is your time for you to partner with your provider to work to improve your health. If you have found visits to be flustering or unhelpful, consider trying the above tips to help make your visits both productive and positive.
Sleep Well! Be Well!
Caroline Okorie, MD, MPH