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Q I take my dad to the doctor and try to make sure we get all of his issues addressed at the appointment, but sometimes there is just not enough time to absorb all of the information. Is there any way to make sure we are getting the most out of the time we have with our doctor?
(From a son in Verona)
A According to a study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics, we spend, on average, between 10 and 16 minutes with a doctor.
Because of this limited time, we tend to focus on the most urgent concern. That does not always leave time to explain the entire situation or other related concerns.
Using time efficiently
I do have some suggestions for getting the most out of your appointment.
First: Write down all of the things you need to tell the doctor.
- Make a special note of the things that are most pressing or urgent.
- Practice explaining your symptoms. Most people begin by telling the doctor what they think they have instead of describing the symptoms.
Second: Give examples of how the current condition affects your daily life.
For example: “Every time I eat pizza, I get a burning sensation in my chest,” or “I used to be able to run one mile without getting winded; now I lose my breath after one half mile.”
This gives the doctor concrete examples of how a symptom affects your life.
Third: You may call the clinic ahead of time and ask if the doctor would consider ordering any blood tests prior to your appointment.
That way you can spend your face time discussing the lab results rather than getting the results in the mail or having to make another appointment to go over the lab results.
Fourth: Tell the truth.
There are times when patients are concerned about how they are going to be perceived and do not disclose as much as they should.
Not judgemental
Remember that doctors are not judging you; they just need to know if anything is jeopardizing your health.
Hopefully these steps will help you maximize your time with the doctor. All my best!
Jean Mueller has been a registered nurse for over 30 years. Her experience includes working in home care settings, skilled nursing care, and training individuals to become certified nursing assistants. For the past 13 years, she has worked in the Aging Services department of the Madison Diocese Catholic Charities.