This is definitely one of the best ways to understand the ailment in its entirety. However, given the long queues at our clinic, time is becoming a scarce resource. We need to listen to the patients so that we understand the intricacies of the disease & also not miss out on anything.
However, you can help us in this endeavor to listen to every important point of yours with these smart tips.
- Always remember that if you organize everything before the visit, you can make the most out of it.
- For the first visit, a neatly written description of your history with specific details of hospitalizations & important reports. This is especially helpful especially if there are multiple files.
- List of all medications including alternative therapy ones.
- Share details of your family history – these details can help reach a diagnosis. It also helps understand the risk of developing a disease.
- Always enlist your concerns & particular questions- you will be focused & happy at the end that all your questions were answered.
- For the follow up visits- discuss your life (personal, professional, family) goals. This helps us understand & plan therapy accordingly. Make your Rheumatologist a partner in achieving the goals.
- For the follow up visits- discuss any major life decisions you are planning to take especially if the reason is related to the ailment.
- Before leaving the clinic always check that you have understood all the medicines.
- Ask for any warning signals that you should watch out for & report immediately.