I don’t mean to scare you. I’m trying to make you think or become more aware of what is going on in your healthcare. Don’t get me wrong, there are many wonderful doctors, nurses and healthcare personnel out there! That’s not what I’m saying here. Healthcare itself is becoming so overwhelmed these days. Everyone is busy and what I’m finding is that sometimes things get overlooked or put on the back burner or just not dealt with properly. Sometimes all of the questions that need asked don’t get enough attention. Doctors offices and hospitals are very busy places. There is a whole lot going on that doesn’t involve just you so you need to be on the lookout for yourself! Become involved in your care as much as possible and if your are unsure of what’s going on but have that “gut feeling” somethings just not right…. Keep asking questions. Or at the very least call that nurse you may know and ask for additional insight.
Next time you go to your doctors office look behind the secretary to the thousands of medical records that are in the filing cabinet. That’s a whole lot of people that one man/woman and a nurse or two, have care of. Then, most of the time those patients are being sent out to another physician for consult ie: cardiologist, orthopedic, surgeons, ENT. There isn’t time for those 2 doctors to discuss your treatment verbally. Whomever you were referred to will make a note and “hopefully” a copy will be sent back to your doctor. Sometimes the note is reviewed by the nurse and just put into your file. Sometimes its reviewed by your doctor and filed away to be discussed when you come to your next appointment. All of your tests you have had done are given a quick once over and placed in your folder and anything urgent I would hope is being addressed with you.
I’m finding the problems come when trying to piece together all of the tests, doctors and medications that one person may have done, see and take. I would imagine it would become a bit overwhelming! The very BEST thing you can do for yourself if you are frequenting doctors, having tests and taking medications is to get yourself a notebook and take notes. Keep track of things yourself because when you go into your doctors office they aren’t always caught up to speed on what has been going on with you, who else you’ve seen or what has changed. This is where things can go wrong. You know yourself, you know your healthcare the only one who can truly piece everything together is you. So, I encourage you to get involved for yourself and especially with your parents if you are able.
The “whole picture” can and will come from YOU! You will be the one to tell your primary doctor what happened, what tests were done and if any medications were started or changed by the other doctor you might be referred to. Please don’t assume that your primary doctor knows everything that is going on or is up to date with your healthcare. They will need reminded and told of what has happened since the last time you have seen them. They are very intelligent people but they certainly can’t remember or know “everything” from the top of their heads.
Take notes on yourself, do some research on what the doctor has told you so that when you discuss it you have a greater understanding of what is going on and what they are talking about. You will be glad you did because your care will flow a little more smoothly and you will be able to help them paint that “whole picture”.