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MAKING THE MOST OF MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS
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It may be a new experience
for caregivers to be faced with frequent and often stressful appointments
with a range of health care professionals. Caregivers frequently
comment on feeling rushed, confused, or intimidated by health care
professionals. They can take some control in this situation by planning
ahead and anticipating what the professional's expectations may
be related to the specific appointment, as well as focusing their
own thoughts on what information/concerns they would like to be
addressed during the scheduled contact.
The following suggestions may assist caregivers in
getting organized before a scheduled appointment:
- Put together a notebook to help keep information and paperwork
organized. There should be blank paper available for writing notes.
Include a place for insurance information, as well as a calendar.
- Make a list of any questions/concerns you would like to discuss
with the health care provider.
- Write down any information that you anticipate that the provider
will need to know. Focus areas include recent illnesses, current
medications, or other related specialty appointments.
- Plan to be about 10 minutes early to register.
- Be aware of any procedures that will be part of the appointment,
so that you can best prepare yourself and the child.
- Bring alternative activities, food items, and scheduled medications
to be available should you have to wait for a long time period
for the scheduled appointment.
- Write down any recommendations or changes in your notebook.
If there are follow-up needs be sure to clarify who is responsible
for doing what.
- If you have to leave with unanswered questions, ask when time
would be available to address these over the telephone.
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