Your Tips on How to Get Off to the Best Start with a New Specialist

@sunnyflower, I appreciate what you wrote about medical staff complaining about what they considered a "patient's laundry list" of symptoms at office visits. When I received 3 diagnoses for chronic health issues within the last year, I first started researching all I could learn about each and how to better manage them. I also typed questions for each specialist, and asked them to read them at the visits. I didn't share a list of a bazillion symptoms or questions about what I could do better or watch for but one doc in particular, resented my request, saying "I have a clinic full of patients to see and can't address each item on this sheet". The 6 items were brief; more to keep me on track and to get answers because otherwise, I'm always afraid I'll leave without remembering what I most needed help with. I was very hurt by her response because she had been one of my most favorite docs until that day.

I think it wonderful that many patients on the Connect forums write about how their specialsts work as a "team" and individually take the time to discuss procedures, recommendations and answer questions. While we are all acutely aware that physicians have heavy work loads and are limited in the time they can allow each patient, I also know how 'thin skinned" some can be and either feel "threatened" or "irritated" if a "difficult patient" questions a med or procedure and about what effects it may have.

Knowledge is power and I've learned that the patient bears a great responsibility in learning how to manage and become a patient advocate. I'm also learning, at least with mine, that docs treating older patients with multiple health issues do not want to discuss anything about the effects of treatment for one malady may adversely another chronic condition. I hope sharing my experience is helpful to others and I appreciate what you cautioned.

Hello feisty76, I am sorry this happened to you. I completely understand.
Patients, including myself, can be very intimidated by doctors. We must remember that essentially we employ them. At the same time, they essentially hold our lives in their hands!

Except for unexpected urgent patients that need to be worked in to their schedule as a double or triple book, or an unexpected significant finding during a scheduled appointment, doctors (and often their nurses) own/control their schedules.

When you schedule your appointments, you could try saying that you have several important things that you need to be addressed at the appointment and from experience, you will need a longer appointment time so the doctor can stay on schedule. You could add that you are elderly, in pain and that it is a hardship for you to get there. It's worth a try.

You could also talk to the doctor about that and they can flag you in the system to schedule you for a longer appointment time when you need an appointment.

Those are things that have worked for me.

I wish you all the best! Warmest regards, Sunnyflower 😊

@sunnyflower My husband has had a rude awakening recently. For the last 30 years, his insurance was through Kaiser Permanente. He enjoyed having drs under one location, for the most part, and dedicated hospitals. Everyone took their time with him, and he received excellent care before, during, and post-kidney transplant. Now we have moved where he doesn't have access, and had to source out [basically I did the research and let him make final decision] new providers. His new nephrologist also runs a dialysis unit. My husband had to find out the hard way that to this Dr, the more patients seen in a day, the more he can bill, so appts are very brief. Fortunately he is very healthy and has no problems.
Ginger

@sunnyflower My husband has had a rude awakening recently. For the last 30 years, his insurance was through Kaiser Permanente. He enjoyed having drs under one location, for the most part, and dedicated hospitals. Everyone took their time with him, and he received excellent care before, during, and post-kidney transplant. Now we have moved where he doesn't have access, and had to source out [basically I did the research and let him make final decision] new providers. His new nephrologist also runs a dialysis unit. My husband had to find out the hard way that to this Dr, the more patients seen in a day, the more he can bill, so appts are very brief. Fortunately he is very healthy and has no problems.
Ginger

@colleenyoung ….I would if l were starting with a new doctor....be on time or early to appt...bring my insurance cards....bring copies of relevant tests and CD's and current meds even if l had requested they would be sent ahead....have a list of questions. I would also give the front desk a list of name of doctor (s) and addresses l want their report to be sent to. tdrell

@lacy2 I have a small notebook that goes with me to each appt, to take notes, jot down vitals, etc. In the front of that is a pocket where I have a paper listing all my medications and supplements. Importantly, there is a date at the top showing "as of". If there is a change, I make it on there, and the date something was changed. I separate the OTC things and Rx drugs. On another paper is a list of major medical procedures, flu vaccines, shingles/pneumonia shots, for quick reference. And, I keep a list of all my husband's medications in my purse, in case there is an emergency.

Having a pharmacist you can trust is critical. A few years back, before I did mail order, my pharmacist was a dr from South Africa, and was a pharmacist here in the States. David was awesome, and alerted me to several potential issues with medications and OTC alike. I miss him.

Glad your visiting nurse saw the potential errors and health emergencies!
Ginger

Ginger you are awesome, I do the notebook thing, LARGE notebook for my husband, smaller notebook for my brother. It just keeps my thoughts organized. Especially if there is a risk of any bad news that could derail them.