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

I am a patient at a group practice for an eye condition. So, I don't always see the same specialist. At my appointment last month, I was treated by one of the doctors that I don't usually see. Right away, I observed how he interacted with his staff in the hallway, and the tone of his conversations and bounce in his step. His time with me was efficient and professional. He clearly explained my treatment, even though my charts showed that I have been receiving these treatments for quite a few years.
At the end of my appointment, I told him that I could see how much he enjoyed what he was doing. He paused for a moment. I think I took him by surprise. He said, "I do love what I do" And he told me about some memorable experiences. Before he left, he smiled and thanked me for asking.
I have a follow-up in a couple months, but don't know which doctor I am going to see.

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I had a similar experience with my oncologists. There were 3 oncologists that came to our local hospital. I really preferred to meet with one of the doctors. If i was sceduled on a day when one of the other doctors was at the clinic, i would call and ask them to reschedule me for a day when my preferred doctor was at the clinic. If you really like a specific doctor, ask to be scheduled with that doctor. It may not work out, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

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My hip surgeon was the son of my old pediatrician that I saw as a baby. Having that kind of connection made me feel at ease. From the first face-to-face meeting I had with him. I felt confident that he could help me in my agony of constant hip pain. He did.

Ift’s best to write down a list of questions you may want to ask. Mayo doctors will take the time to answer them without making you feel rushed.

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My husband's primary doctor was his father's doctor till his death due to cancer. The whole family loved him. When we needed to consolidate our medical insurance, I knew I had to switch mine because there was no way he would want to leave his doctor. He would go to him first for any medical concerns (the doc then writes referral for specialists if that is what is needed). That is the kind of trust between a doctor and a patient that we all want to have.

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To follow up on my earlier post about writing down questions for the specialist. I had a consultation with a cardiologist this week. I had written down questions as I thought of them during the weeks prior to the appointment, then consolidated them and prioritized their importance. I also had copies of cardiac-related results he might want to refer to. The visit went very well and he and I were able to focus on my questions and their answers. One useful question that I included at the end of my list was: "Is there anything that I haven't asked that you think is important for me to know about my cardiac condition?"

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Great idea to prepare information on how to prepare. I hope you ask some appointment coordinators, nurses and doctors for their input also.

I try to be as prepared for any questions the doctor might ask and have a list of questions for the doctor. The more prepared I am, the more efficient the appointment will be. I would rather have too much information with me then not enough.

Think back to other doctors' appointments, what questions did the nurse or doctor ask. Be prepared to answer those questions again.

I have been a patient of Mayo my entire life, and all my information is online, I still bring the following list to my appointment just in case. Even though information is online, it does take time for a doctor to find. If he wants to look up details, it is nice to have dates of previous tests, etc…

My suggestions:

1. Make sure your appointment is with right specialist. At Mayo the appointment coordinators should be able to help. Just because a friend saw a certain doctor, he/she might not be correct specialist for your condition.
2. Have your referring doctor send all medical records (preferable electronically). In addition, bring a copy with you just in case something gets misplaced. Again, preferable on a disk.
3. In addition, I always have the following with documents with me:
○ List of all medications I take, who prescribed, why I take that medication, how long I have taken that medication.
○ If there are other medications I have taken in recently that I no longer take, it is nice to have that information also. Maybe your previous doctor recommended something and it did not work. You want your new doctor to know this information.
○ Your list should include all prescribed and over the counter medication.
○ You might want to bring all the bottles with you so there is no question about dosages.
○ List of all allergies
○ List of all surgeries, date and location.
○ List of all medical conditions, when diagnosed and are you still being treated for this condition. A specialist is not there to treat all your problems, but something may be related to your current problem.
4. Write down your understanding of current problem and list of symptoms. Be specific.
a. When did symptoms start
b. How are you treating the symptoms
c. Does anything make them worse or better.
d. What tests have been done for current problem, date, location, results
5. Write down your questions related to current problem in order of importance. At end of appointment, look through your list and see if they have been answered.
6. Take notes, the doctor's summary will be available online after your appointment. If he tells you something and you do not know how to spell it, ask him to write it down.

If your appointment is at Mayo, and you use the internet register for the Mayo Portal. It is great reference to double check appointment information, fill out forms, check results and see doctor notes. Even if you fill out form online, also bring information to appointment. And if use a smart phone, download app.

Hope this helps.
Laurie

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I am meeting Monday morning with a neurosurgeon at Mayo re a diagnosis of a brain tumor on the optic chiasm. Great list to use. I have completed several suggestions and am making my list.

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@rosemarya @hopeful33250 As Teresa said, doctors are people too, and I think they appreciate hearing we recognize that. My gynecologist is great, we always share a bit of personal info and one time I told him how fortunate I felt to have a number of very caring doctors. He stopped what he was doing and immediately responded that I was an easy person to care about, which made my day too!
Once on my way to my appointment with my surgeon, not too long after my transplant, I was thinking about the difference in me from the first time we met, prior to transplant, to now. I commented to him that it must be very gratifying for him when he sees patients so healthy after transplant, and he sort of beamed and said it really is.
I think many people do not see the human side of doctors so when a patient makes a positive comment like that they enjoy it.
JK

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