Going to the doctor? Be a savvy patient
Whether you go to the hospital or just your doctor's office, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the medical system. That's why it's so important to be a savvy patient.
Do it right and you'll waste less time and spend less money on healthcare.
Chances are you won't get much time with your doctor. So you want to get the most out of that visit.
"These days, you need to ask a lot of questions, speak up for yourself, keep track of your own medications and tests and test results so that you can share them with many doctors," says Toni Hope, health director at Good Housekeeping.
She suggests this time-saving trick: ask for the first appointment after lunch.
"Many doctors do rounds at the hospital in the early morning and they're already running late by the time they get to the office. But they generally catch up by lunchtime, so the best time to schedule your appointment? First thing after lunch."
Every time you visit your doctor make a list of questions you to discuss. It's easy to get nervous and forget to get all the information you need.
Work from the list and write down the answers.
You should also bring a list of all your medications, including dosages and how often you take them.
If you get a new diagnosis, and want to know more, there are many reliable websites you can visit. Here are some of the trusted sites I use:
- WebMD
- Mayo Clinic
- National Institutes of Health
- Consumer Reports
- Dr. Koop
- Health Central
Do it right and you'll waste less time and spend less money on healthcare.
Chances are you won't get much time with your doctor. So you want to get the most out of that visit.
"These days, you need to ask a lot of questions, speak up for yourself, keep track of your own medications and tests and test results so that you can share them with many doctors," says Toni Hope, health director at Good Housekeeping.
She suggests this time-saving trick: ask for the first appointment after lunch.
"Many doctors do rounds at the hospital in the early morning and they're already running late by the time they get to the office. But they generally catch up by lunchtime, so the best time to schedule your appointment? First thing after lunch."
Every time you visit your doctor make a list of questions you to discuss. It's easy to get nervous and forget to get all the information you need.
Work from the list and write down the answers.
You should also bring a list of all your medications, including dosages and how often you take them.
If you get a new diagnosis, and want to know more, there are many reliable websites you can visit. Here are some of the trusted sites I use:
- WebMD
- Mayo Clinic
- National Institutes of Health
- Consumer Reports
- Dr. Koop
- Health Central