Making Good Use of Your Family Physician
As a family physician, I am keenly aware that I am usually the first (and often the only) point of contact for a patient with our healthcare system. It is my goal to not only correctly diagnose and treat but to also have a patient leave our interaction satisfied. For me, a successful visit is one where a patient feels all her questions have been answered and is in agreement with and understands the rationale for the treatment/investigative plan moving forward.
There are a few things I feel patients can do to make the best use of their family physician as a partner in seeking optimal health. Here they are, in no particular order…
Discuss Prevention
It may be worthwhile visiting your family physician when you’re not sick. The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” really does hold true. Do you think your diet could be improved? Not sure about how to start an exercise program? Thinking of finally working on quitting smoking? Go see your family physician! Family physicians are a wealth of information and resources and appreciate when patients take a proactive view of their health.
Periodic Visits
If you have a chronic disease such as diabetes or hypertension, it is important you see your family physician periodically. There are certain things that need to be checked in order to monitor progression or stability of your condition. For example, if you have diabetes, your family physician will want to check your blood work and blood pressure a few times a year. Longer gaps can cause delay in identification of poor control which can lead to serious consequences. Sit down with her and come up with an appropriate and realistic schedule together. If you are generally healthy, ask your family physician how often she would like to see you. There may be certain parameters she may want to monitor periodically given your age, family history and lifestyle.
Get Organized
Think about the circumstances surrounding your concern. What makes it better/worse? What have you tried? What are worried about? What do you expect from the visit? These are questions that your family physician will address but thinking about them beforehand can facilitate this.
It’s also important to know your extended health plan and what is covered as that may impact the synthesis of a treatment plan.
If you went to a walk in clinic or the ER, bring in any medications they prescribed. If you have copies of blood work or investigations done elsewhere, bring them in.
Getting organized prior to a family physician visit will not only help your visit go smoother it will contribute directly to the quality of your care.
Ask “Why?”
If your doctor suggests a medication, test or procedure, it’s important for you to know the rationale behind it. For any medication, it is important for you to know why the medication is being suggested, the potential risks, availability of safer/cheaper/non-pharmacologic alternatives and the risks of doing nothing. You may decide that for you, a medication’s side effects/risks outweigh the risks of not treating. A decision to start a medication needs to be informed and collaborative. Family physicians are advocates for your health but your ultimate health advocate is you.
If a procedure or test is being suggested, understand why. Ask regarding its benefits and any potential risks. Does it need to be done right away or is there some benefit to waiting? Again, what would be the risk of doing nothing? If a diagnostic test is being suggested, ask if the results could change the course of treatment. If not, what’s the point?
Another suggestion is to review your medications regularly with your physician. A medication that was started 10 years ago may no longer be required. Better options may be available or new medical evidence may no longer support its use. Sometimes there’s nothing more satisfying than a DRUGectomy!
(Please!) Try not to bring in (long) lists
We understand time is valuable and it’s not easy to make separate appointments for every concern. However, please understand that if we try to address five issues in a ten minute appointment, we will likely be doing you a disservice. If we take the half an hour to address all your issues satisfactorily, other patients (which may be you next time) will be forced to wait. Often we are forced to identify what is most pressing and deal with that first and others if time allows. My suggestions? Identify what’s most important to you beforehand and try to get those issues addressed. If you think you may need a longer appointment, ask the staff at the time of booking.
Discuss Screening
Screening is the process of identifying disease in those without any signs/symptoms (think mammograms, pap smears, prostate exams, colon cancer screening, fasting blood work). The decision to screen for a condition will involve a number of factors including age, ethnicity, family history, time since previous screen etc. It is important that you discuss appropriate screening with your family physician and follow through on any recommendations.
Give feedback
At our office, we are always looking to improve our efficiency and the patient experience. If you are dissatisfied with your care, make it known constructively. Feedback is welcome, especially if it can improve patient care. Also, please take the time to point out what works well!
Family physicians are expert clinicians who aim to develop an effective doctor-patient relationship so they may advocate for your health and collaborate in your care. Make good use of them!
