

How do you prepare to see a doctor?
Whether you are starting with a new doctor or continuing with the same doctor you have been seeing for yours, a basic plan can help you make the most of your appointment.
How do you plan a visit?
Prioritise:
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Do you have a new symptom you need to ask your doctor about?
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Are you concerned about any medication or treatment plan?
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Make a Medicine List
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Name
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Generic version
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Application or Use of the Medicine
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Dosage
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Duration of the medicine
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Side-effects
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Restrictions on food, drinks sot activities
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What if you miss a dose?
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What if you accidently take more than the recommended dose?
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Scheduled Medical Test:
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Name of the Test
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Reasons for the test
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Any special preparation before the test
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Fasting for the test
Diagnosis:
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Understanding the diagnosis
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Prognosis
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Treatment options
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Need for special help if any to manage the condition at home
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Type of treatment
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Insurance cover
Choosing a hospital:
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Identifying a hospital with the best possible care
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Insurance coverage with the hospitals
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Identifying if the hospital has positive outcomes for the condition

Importance of Having a Family Doctor:
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The family doctor is aware of your medical history, conditions, immunity, overall health better given that he/she is in regular contact
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Will be able to suggest a specialist only if required to avoid over diagnosis and over treatment.
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Can help you in emergency and common flu or fevers.
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Is aware of some common community-based illnesses around your region or community
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May suggest and co-relate the ongoing or current conditions with other family members who also visit the same physician.
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Can help understand genetic facts and recommend better prevention
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Understands the drugs that have worked for you and are likely to work in your family, given the genetic predisposition
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Understands your lifestyle, monetary health and maintains a better relation due to his practise being directly related to the families and neighbouring habitat.
Avoiding Doctor Visits:
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Affordability
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Lack of access to an appropriate physician
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Afraid of bad news
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Fear of doctors or previous bad experiences with doctors
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Inability to comply with treatment plan
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Lack of trust in the doctor
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Seeking help of the internet or friends instead of professional medical care
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Fear of being called out for unhealthy habits
Tips - When Talking with Your Doctor:
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Do not hide any information from your doctor
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Keep a list of your symptoms and health history
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Bring an updated "health history" list for your doctor visit
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Keep your previous prescription list
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Speak about allergies with respect to food and medicine.
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List down alternative therapies or medicines that you may have taken.
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Carry you other medical information, such as x-ray films, reports and records.
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Ask questions. If you don't, your doctor may think you understand everything that was said.
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Write down your questions before your visit. List the most important ones first to make sure they get asked and answered.
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You might want to bring someone along to help you ask questions. This person can also help you understand and/or remember the answers.
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Ask your doctor to draw pictures if that might help to explain something.
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Take notes.
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Some doctors do not mind if you bring a tape recorder to help you remember things. However, always seek permission to do so.
Do Not Forget to Follow Up
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If you have questions, call.
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If your symptoms persist or get worse, or if you have problems with your medicine, reach out to your doctor immediately.
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If the doctor has run tests and you haven’t heard from your doctor, follow-up.
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If your doctor has prescribed tests or blood works, reach out to the lab and make appointments to get the tests done
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If your doctor recommends an opinion of a specialist, seek an earliest appointment and inform your doctor of the outcome.