From the article: Get the Most from Your Doctor's Appointment
Having inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) means regular doctor appointments to a gastroenterologist or internal medicine doctor, and sometimes other specialists as well. These doctor's visits go by quickly, and you may not get all your questions answered, or forget to mention a drug side effect or a complication you've been experiencing. You may even feel that you're rushed out of the exam room quickly and are taking up too much of your physician's time. Being a well-prepared patient is an investment in time and energy. How do you prepare for your doctor's appointments to make the most of the time you have together?
Share Your Tips
Make A List
- Write down the things you want to talk about on paper. When you see the doctor, show him the list; get to your questions right away.
- —JITS79
Maximizing time with the doctor
- I keep copies of all of my pathology (dating back to 1998) in a binder and keep a notebook/diary of my disease along with current scientific articles recarding IBD. I take all of this with me to my GI appointments, so I can easily discuss where I have been, what has or has not worked in the past and what is the best course of treatment for me right now. I believe it is my job to be as informed as I possible can about this life alterning illness.
- —GKLOR
