The seven habits of highly effective patients
Posted on 19 June 2013
Dr Dale Cilliers, head of emergency medicine at Mediclinic Panorama, advises patients on being prepared for their consultation.
By adopting these simple habits, one can greatly influence the outcome of the interaction or consultation with the doctor. Medicine is as much an art as it is a science, and many factors influence the consultation process. One can greatly improve the chance of an accurate diagnosis, leading to effective treatment and a favourable outcome by simply being an effective patient.
Give a good history
Despite the technological advances in medicine, most diagnoses are still made by listening effectively to the development of symptoms and the so-called history of a patient. One should not rely purely on special investigations to make a diagnosis, but rather be attentive to the details of the problem. Special investigations such as blood tests and radiology serve merely as confirmation of a clinical suspicion.
Present early
It is imperative that unexplained symptoms be investigated early. It is unwise to self diagnose and the earlier treatment is initiated, the more favorable the outcome.
Know your medication
All patients should have an idea of what medication they are taking, have an idea why they have been prescribed and what their role in maintaining health or treating underlying disease is.
Bring your medication with youMost doctors, surprisingly enough, do not know what medications look like. Medication can be difficult to identify merely from description. Bring the boxes of medication with you to the consultation, giving the clinician to have a clear understanding of your medication history.Build relationships, but consider second opinions
A functional relationship with a clinician who understands your health is an advantage. ‘Doctor hopping’ should be discouraged and continuity encouraged. However, it is your right as a patient to seek a second opinion should you feel you are not receiving adequate treatment and advice.
A functional relationship with a clinician who understands your health is an advantage. ‘Doctor hopping’ should be discouraged and continuity encouraged. However, it is your right as a patient to seek a second opinion should you feel you are not receiving adequate treatment and advice.
Ask questions
When you leave the doctors consultation room, be sure that you have asked all your questions. Without a keen understanding of the problems at hand, one really cannot expect compliance to treatment and advice given. If a specialist does not have the time to explain to you all the detail, contact your general practitioner who should be glad to assist in explaining and answering questions.
Embrace your uniqueness
The older one gets, the more unique you become as a patient. Elderly patients are not equal and every patient is unique. Silent and atypical presentations, the presence of multiple medications and the different life experiences of patients make a blanket treatment of similar symptoms impossible.
The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.
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