网曝门事件

We go to the doctor to get well鈥攁nd stay well. But what you do during the doctor鈥檚 appointment can make a big difference toward improving health. Being an informed patient leads to better communication, clarity and, ultimately, better care.

Meet the new doctor

In today鈥檚 age of technology, even the most minor aches and pains can cause many of us to turn to Dr. Google鈥攚hich can give helpful information at best and scare us into thinking we have every disease listed at worst. But is turning to the internet inherently a bad thing? And can we use the internet to be more informed?

鈥淭here are a ton of great resources online,鈥� says Yung-Hsi Wen, MD, an interventional cardiologist. 鈥淏ut you shouldn鈥檛 make up your mind based on what you read on the Internet.鈥�

Dr. Wen says that researching your symptoms before your appointment can be beneficial. 鈥淧atients who come in with a list of questions are interested and motivated. I can help them understand where their concerns are valid and address what applies to them.鈥�

Enhancing the patient-provider relationship

When used optimally, technology can provide people with even more options for accessing healthcare. 鈥淥ne of the biggest tools I have found to be beneficial is the ability to communicate directly with patients through their online patient portal,鈥� says Ross Hanchett, MD, an OB-GYN at 网曝门事件 Health and Rideout. 鈥淚f a patient is having a question about symptoms, they can message me through the portal and ask for resources. That way, I can provide patients with peer-reviewed, credible material.鈥�

Communicating between visits can be especially helpful in coordinating an effective care plan. 鈥淭here鈥檚 an overload of information out there,鈥� says Dr. Hanchett. 鈥淲hen you have established a strong patient-provider relationship, your doctor can help you sort through what applies to you and what doesn鈥檛.鈥�

Don鈥檛 limit your options

Gathering information online can be helpful. But your doctor is there for a reason. 鈥淚f a patient walks into my office and has already made up their mind about their condition or treatment, then what value am I providing?鈥� says Dr. Wen.

While it鈥檚 important to bring up any concerns, don鈥檛 limit yourself to what you鈥檝e already read. There is a lot of research taking place and medicine is constantly changing and improving. Your doctor is there to provide medical expertise and be an ally to help you find the best treatment option for you.

鈥淢y options to care for a patient become extremely limited when they come in with an agenda,鈥� Dr. Hanchett says. 鈥淎s a healthcare provider, I am here to have honest and productive conversations with patients about what is best for them.鈥�

Preparing for your next appointment

Before a doctor鈥檚 visit, check to make sure you鈥檝e filled out all necessary forms, either online or in person. If you鈥檙e seeing a new provider, bring a list of your current medications, and be ready to share your family and medical history.

One of the most important takeaways for patients is to write down symptoms, questions and concerns before actually sitting in the doctor鈥檚 office. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 tell you how many times a day I hear a patient say that they had questions but can鈥檛 remember them in the moment,鈥� Dr. Hanchett shares.

Dr. Wen agrees, 鈥淚f you have a written list of your concerns, it really helps to set priorities for your visit, maximize and make the best use of the time you have with your doctor.鈥�