How to make the most of a Doctors visit.

[Paa_Paw]

I think that the most important thing is to be properly prepared in advance.

First, the Doctor needs to know of any medications you are taking. This can be handled in either of two ways. My personal preference is to make a complete list. The list must be totally complete and accurate. It should include any over the counter medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins your might use; even street drugs if you use them. He is not a Cop, and he needs to know everything to make an accurate diagnosis. The second method it to bring in the original containers for everything and let the Doctors assistant list them for you.

Second, any symptoms such as itching, burning, tingling, pain etc. Don't write a book, use as few words as possible.

Third, any questions you may have. With very personal or embarrassing situations you might get tongue tied and not be able to communicate well. At my age if I don't have a list of questions i may forget something until too late.

This paper should be written up several days in advance so you will have time to edit and rewrite the material. If you cannot read everything on the paper in 30 seconds, it is too long. Pretty doesn't count, but legible does! It must be easy to read.

I have found that it is often easiest for me to simply hand the paper to the Assistant when I'm first taken into the examination room. The assistant simply clips the paper to my chart for the Doctor to see and the Doctor takes it from there.

When I am properly prepared, my questions and concerns are all answered and I actually get more time to simply chat with the Doctor. When you show respect for the Doctors time in this way, you ultimately benefit in the long run.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Excellent, Paa_Paw, but let me add a few more items.

First, you must be entirely open, honest and candid with your doctor.  He is there to help you -- not to judge.

Come prepared with a list of your current medications, dosages, OTC's.
Be honest about any recreational drugs, tobacco use or prior use of body building steroids.
Bring a list of any medical problems you may have, such as asthma, diabetes, etc.
Include a list of allergies to foods or medications -- especially any allergy to soy (soy-based anesthesia is frequently used in this surgery).
Also bring a list of any prior major operations, including any prior gyne surgery -- bring the surgeon's operative report if it is available.
Write down a list of your symptoms and concerns -- each of these will be addressed by your surgeon.  Try to remember when your first symptoms of gyne really began.

Your surgeon, armed with all this information, will then do a physical exam to confirm the presence of gyne.

And then a frank and thorough discussion can be had.

Dr Jacobs