How to achieve ‘planned patienthood’
CNN Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen’s latest article discusses the steps that patient’s need to take in order to prepare for their own doctor’s visit.
Here are the story highlights according to CNN:
- Doctors are often rushed, so patients must come to appointments prepared
- Write down top three concerns so you won’t get sidetracked during appointment
- Patients who planned and asked good questions had better health outcomes
The article discusses a story about Dr. Paul Konowitz who sought treatment from gastroenterologist. He said,
“My wife and I talked to the doctor for about 15 minutes, and then he just kind of got up and left the room. The appointment was over,” Konowitz remembered. The doctor had given the Konowitzes no treatment plan, no directions, no suggestions, no nothing. “My wife and I looked at each other and said, ”What was that all about?’ We didn’t know anything more than when we went in.”
Here are five steps to achieving “planned patienthood” so you can get the most out of the time you have with your doctor.
1. Come armed with your top three concerns
2. Write down your questions beforehand
3. Understand — and write down — the plan to get you better
4. Write down next steps
5. Ask when you should feel better
Learn much more about this topic at: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/07/ep.planned.patienthood/index.html
Tags: patient