Being a Better Patient
The ways you receive healthcare are changing. Focus your strategies for wellness and strengthen your relationship with your primary care doctor to boost your overall health.
- Communicate early and often. If you have a question or concern, bring it up sooner rather than later. Sending a short note or leaving a voicemail for your doctor’s nurse about a potential problem can allow your doctor to decide if you need a different medication, a follow-up visit or a referral to a specialist.
- Find tools to help you along the way. From a Fitbit wristband to smartphone apps, you can measure how you’re doing each day. Many app developers offer free pedometers you can download to your phone or you can choose from inexpensive apps that measure the quality of your sleep (such as the Sleep Cycle alarm clock) or how many calories you’ve eaten (such as MyFitnessPal). The White Noise Lite app lets you customize white noise sounds that will help you drift off to dreamland. Too busy to count calories? Download the Meal Snap app that calculates calories based on a picture of your food.
- Get connected. A simple tweet or Facebook status update could help keep you on track when it comes to diet and exercise. People can cheer you on or “like” your status and share tips to help you stay motivated and meet your goals. You can also follow your favorite health magazines and resources’ Twitter accounts for daily tips about health and wellness.
Heading to the doctor’s office? Be sure to have the following information handy, in written form or organized on your smartphone, so your visit is more productive.
- Current medications. This includes prescription and over-the-counter products, such as vitamins, herbal supplements, and allergy and cold medications.
- Current conditions or allergies. Update your doctor at the beginning of your appointment if you’ve noticed any changes in your health.
- Current health insurance information. Keep your health insurance card in a safe place so it’s always handy. Try putting it in your wallet or in another easily accessible place. When you receive a new insurance card, take it by your doctor’s office and let them enter the information in your record, so it’s available when needed.
- Questions and concerns. Jotting down your thoughts beforehand — and during the appointment — can help you communicate more effectively. Don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions for clarification before you leave.
You can be a better patient. Break the ice with your doctor at your next visit by speaking up and asking questions.
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