Your health is extremely important to your quality of life. Thankfully, Internists and Family Practitioners are widely available to support your needs for quality healthcare. Though it may seem that your physician only has 15 minutes or so to spend with you, he or she will spend more time on your specific issues after your leave the office. You too, can be part of your healthcare planning. If you plan to be savvy about your health access to preserve your health, you may want to know how to make an informed decision. After all, your health is YOUR health. Your access to healthcare depends, in part, on the decisions you make to preserve you quality of life.  So, you may want to perform the following tasks to make informed decision about your healthcare.  First, you may want to select your doctor with the aid of research, including:

• Check out the website of your doctor and several other physician websites.

• Scan information about the conditions and treatment options available for those conditions.

• Learn that every doctor determines the optimal approach based on their education, experience and the interdisciplinary feedback they may receive about your care from relevant healthcare professionals.

• View each doctor’s focus, such as, specific areas of expertise and procedures, listings of published papers or presented lectures to professional and public audiences, as well as, credentials whether it be graduating with an MD or PhD from a specific school or even holding a prominent position in a medical organization.

If you’re planning on visiting your doctor, you’ll want to know about how to get the most out of your care. Because care provided to patients is often multidisciplinary and involves more than one physician or other health care professional, it is critical that all issues need to be embraced by all health professionals, as well as, by you, so that you do not have expectations for screening or diagnostic tests that may be more likely to result in more risks than good. As Dr. Steven Weinberger, Executive Vice President & CEO of the American College of Physicians in Philadelphia, PA. explains, “What should drive care is what provides the greatest benefit to patients with the least harm, and patients and their physicians need to have an open, honest communication about potential benefits and risks of care.”

Setting Your Agenda

What is your goal for managing chronic illness? If you have many health concerns, you’ll want to address the most pressing issues first. In fact, you may need to schedule as second appointment to address other less important health concerns. When you arrive at your doctor’s office, it’s wise to bring a list of all medical conditions and medications you are taking, including: over the counter drugs and natural remedies. If you are not feeling your best, bring a family member, caregiver or friend for a second set of eyes and ears that may be able to absorb more information that your doctor provides. It is statistically proven that people may forget critical details about medical procedures.

• Ask your doctor what you can do to take better care of yourself.

• What kind of tests is the doctor ordering?

• How often will you need tests?

• Will you receive a copy of your lab results?

• What will the test rule out and what other tests may be required?

• Are there insurance constraints that are preventing you from receiving tests that may provide for more timely treatment?

• Will you receive a discharge summary?

• Inquire about the benefits, risks and coping skills required for treatment.

Your Documents

If you receive a prescription medication for treatment, it’s wise to check out the website of the manufacturer to review the risks and benefits. If you are having a medical procedure that is invasive, you’ll likely receive a number of documents from your doctor. These documents demonstrate an oral discussion and an oral agreement between you and your doctor about your healthcare. To take it a step further, two or more practice visits may enhance your understanding of surgical treatments to set reasonable expectations for the outcome of your care.

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