Making the most of your doctor’s visit

IT IS very important to get maximum returns on your doctor’s visit. A doctor’s visit usually lasts an average of 10 to 15 minutes. Given the short turnaround time, it is important that you share all relevant information with the doctor concerning your particular concerns at the time of the visit. The following are five tips on how you can improve the quality of your doctor’s visit.

1. SAY FIRST THINGS FIRST

Be sure to state your main complaint/concern first. So, for example, if you are feeling unusually tired with an ongoing pain in the chest, you would report that first to the doctor. The doctor will ask you about associated feelings and conditions, including whether or not you have a chronic condition.

2. ASK FOR CLARIFICATION

If your doctor used a term that you do not understand, do not be afraid to ask for clarification. One example of this could be that of a doctor diagnosing a patient as being diabetic and prescribing medications. However, the patient may not know or understand what diabetes is and without asking questions to increase their understanding of the condition, they may not know how to manage the condition. On the other hand, the challenge may be in terms of the words used. In the same example where the doctor describes the patient as diabetic, it means the same thing as saying in Jamaican parlance, that the ‘sugar is high’.

3. ASK ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS OF MEDICATIONS

If a medication is prescribed, ask your doctor if there are any side effects and what you should do if you experience it. Some side effects of medications are very harmful and may require regular monitoring to minimise the potential effect on the body.

4. MINIMISE THE EFFECT OF LONG WAIT TIME

The complaint about the long wait time to see a doctor, particularly in the public health setting, is not unusual. For many of the older adults, to visit the doctor for morning appointments it means that they often leave their homes early in the morning, and sometimes do so without having a meal. Taking a meal or snack with you when going for a doctor visit is a good thing to do to ensure that your sugar level not fall. Also, take something with you so that you will be able to engage your mind, rather than sitting indefinitely passing time. This may include a book to read; craft work, such as sewing, crochet; or a puzzle/ quiz to complete.

5. ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THE NHF SUBSIDY

If you have one of the 17 chronic conditions that are covered by the National Health Fund (NHF), please ask your doctor to register you for NHF (all persons irrespective of age) and Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme (JADEP) (for persons 60-plus years). The NHF subsidy allows persons to get the benefit of discounted medication or free medication (a $40 handling fee is required).