Diabetics often have a limited amount of time with their doctors, so it’s important that they get as much as they can out of each visit.
Communication is key when dealing with your physician, but it's easy to forget exactly what questions you had when you're sitting in front of your doctor. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to improve the quality of care your physician can provide.
Here are some tips for improving every doctor’s visit -
Be Prepared
The most important thing you can do is write down your questions prior to your appointment.
It’s easy to get flustered or distracted by questions about topics other than those you intended to ask. Take time to collect your thoughts and questions and make a list to keep you on track during your appointment.
If you’re technology-minded, make the list on your cell phone and keep it updated so you have a running list between appointments. If you’re not a smartphone devotee, a notebook or piece of paper will work just fine.
Get Help Ahead of Time
Many offices allow you to email questions between visits. A nurse may be able to address your question or concern first, or if not they can pass it on to your doctor for their feedback.
Electronic medical records (EMR) systems have enabled the medical community to be much more efficient. The question you send will be recorded, the nurse or doctor can easily pull up your file, and they can answer your email all within the EMR system, with your permission, of course.
Asking questions through email can cut down on any immediate concerns you may have and will help you get a quick answer between visits.
Bring the Right Information
When you're dealing with diabetes, it is of the utmost importance to bring records of your blood glucose levels to the appointment. You can either bring your blood sugar machine or a record you’ve been keeping of your levels.
Without that information, your doctor won’t be able to provide the kind of specific recommendations or prescriptions tailored to your personal needs. Even if you have a blood test performed prior to your exam, the HbA1c level typically reported provides only an average number and won’t reveal fluctuations, high or low, that usually occur throughout the day.
Additionally, it’s important to bring any information from your other providers. If you’re seeing a specialist such as a nephrologist in addition to your primary care physician, their observations and recommendations can be of critical value to your regular doctor. Bring any summaries you’ve gotten since your last visit to your appointment so the doctor has a clear idea of everything that is going on.
Productive Appointments
A productive appointment with your doctor can give you peace of mind and help improve the quality of care you are receiving. Being prepared with all of the proper information gives your doctor everything they need to make the best recommendations for your health - even with the limited time you have in their office. Utilize the tips above to ensure you have the best visits possible with your doctor.
At Chase Medical Research, we're often enrolling in trials for new diabetes treatments and monitoring options. Study related medication and treatments are provided at no-cost, and there is often compensation for time and travel. If you're interested in seeing if you qualify for a diabetes clinical trial, click the button below.
