Preparation key part to being a good patient

In this era of watching every dollar spent, being a good patient helps you get the most for your time and money in health care. It goes beyond being punctual for appointments. There are many other ways to get more from your health care visits.

Write down your questions to bring to appointments. You and your health care provider may have different agendas for the visit and it is easy to forget what you wanted to ask when you are busy answering her questions. Sometimes time runs short, so email your provider ahead of the visit if that is an option and prioritize your questions so the most important ones are covered first. If you feel you need more information, another opinion or anything else, just ask.

Be descriptive, specific and succinct when answering questions or describing symptoms. The more clearly you give information, the more time there is to address all your concerns.

Take notes during the appointment and consider bringing along a friend or family member if you have trouble remembering what is discussed at appointments. It can be easy to lose focus during an office visit, especially if you get unexpected news. Notes that you can review later help refresh your memory.

Bring an up-to-date medication list every visit. I recommend you write down the reason for each medication (including over-the-counter drugs and supplements) next to the name, quantity and what time you take each one. This helps us limit medication interactions. Find a great online resource for creating a medication list at www.ahrq.gov/qual/ pillcard/pillcard.htm.

Do not stop taking medication without notifying your health care provider. Call your pharmacist or health care provider about side effects. It may be that taking a different dose, taking it at a different time or trying a different medication will solve the problem.

Ask about tests and results you do not understand. You may need more information about what is being checked, how it is done, why you need it, how much it costs or what your results mean.

Call for test results if you do not get results when you expect them. My personal rule of thumb is to call the day after the results were due. Having your own copy of blood pressure results, cholesterol or other lab tests can help you set goals for yourself.

Be sure you understand what treatment or tests are ordered before leaving an appointment. Repeat back what you understand to be the next step in your care. (“So, I am going to work on changing my diet and begin walking 30 minutes a day for six months and then we will recheck my cholesterol level. If it has not improved by then, we will discuss cholesterol-lowering medication.”)

Ask the business office about out-of-pocket costs for tests. Most preventive medicine tests (mammogram, colonoscopy, etc.) are covered, but depending on your insurance, you may be responsible for the costs of recommended tests. Ask before you have the tests done to avoid surprises.

It helps to have realistic expectations about the limitations of modern health care. Those of us in medicine do not like being stumped about how to help you any more than you do. At times, just giving your health care provider more information helps make a diagnosis or adjust a treatment. Your primary care provider can and should be your partner to help you become healthier and proactive about health care decisions. In the next column, I will cover what to expect from your health care provider.

Being engaged in your health care and health outcomes can save money and time: It can also save your life.