There is no such thing as a "perfect patient". Each one has their
own problems and habits. These are some tips to help patients to have a
better experience at their physician's office. Sometimes patients need
to know what NOT to do.
1. Cellphones - Many medical offices have a strict policy of no cell phones while they are in the office so as not to disturb other patients and the office staff. Patients should not answer a call, text or email in the presence of their physician; they should focus on the visit.
2. Research - This is helpful but patients should not go overboard and Google everything and believe everything they read. They should make a list of facts and stick to them.
3. Information - Physicians are not mind readers, they need to know why the patient is there, along with the patients expectations of the visit. If a patient needs a refill or they think they need further testing they need to say so.
4. Facts - Most patients are either in denial or embarrassed by some of the things they are doing to their bodies. It's important for patients to be honest about alcohol intake, any drugs whether illegal or prescription drugs, sexual activity and any family history in order to determine if certain procedures are needed.
5. Be Honest - Patients should feel comfortable with their physician to be able to disagree with them on certain things. If the patient doesn't like the treatment that they are receiving, they should let the physician know and they can discuss other options for treatment. Patients should always trust their intuition, if they don't think a diagnosis is correct, they should get a second opinion.
6. Straightforwardness - Some patients feel the need to tell their physicians what they think they want to hear. If they don't take the vitamins that have been suggested, they should just say they don't. If they are not exercising on a regular basis, then the patient should say that they don't.
7. Listen - Patients sometimes come to a medical office looking for the physician to give them a quick fix to their problems. Patients need to understand that some treatment takes time and patience. Patients should follow through with the physician's orders if they have agreed to them. If patients don't follow through, they should tell the physician so that they don't think that the treatment is no working.
These tips are nice to have somewhere in a medical practice. Some physicians will make a pamphlet of these simple suggestions and place it in their waiting rooms or exam rooms so that patients can have a productive visit with their physician.
1. Cellphones - Many medical offices have a strict policy of no cell phones while they are in the office so as not to disturb other patients and the office staff. Patients should not answer a call, text or email in the presence of their physician; they should focus on the visit.
2. Research - This is helpful but patients should not go overboard and Google everything and believe everything they read. They should make a list of facts and stick to them.
3. Information - Physicians are not mind readers, they need to know why the patient is there, along with the patients expectations of the visit. If a patient needs a refill or they think they need further testing they need to say so.
4. Facts - Most patients are either in denial or embarrassed by some of the things they are doing to their bodies. It's important for patients to be honest about alcohol intake, any drugs whether illegal or prescription drugs, sexual activity and any family history in order to determine if certain procedures are needed.
5. Be Honest - Patients should feel comfortable with their physician to be able to disagree with them on certain things. If the patient doesn't like the treatment that they are receiving, they should let the physician know and they can discuss other options for treatment. Patients should always trust their intuition, if they don't think a diagnosis is correct, they should get a second opinion.
6. Straightforwardness - Some patients feel the need to tell their physicians what they think they want to hear. If they don't take the vitamins that have been suggested, they should just say they don't. If they are not exercising on a regular basis, then the patient should say that they don't.
7. Listen - Patients sometimes come to a medical office looking for the physician to give them a quick fix to their problems. Patients need to understand that some treatment takes time and patience. Patients should follow through with the physician's orders if they have agreed to them. If patients don't follow through, they should tell the physician so that they don't think that the treatment is no working.
These tips are nice to have somewhere in a medical practice. Some physicians will make a pamphlet of these simple suggestions and place it in their waiting rooms or exam rooms so that patients can have a productive visit with their physician.
Marina Hall is a Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist
(CMRS) and founder of MariAnn Medical Billing Service. To read a full
"Interview with Marina Hall" visit her website at http://www.inscoding.com/aboutus.php
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