Writing by Rebecca Weger
Please come visit Rebecca’s fantastic blog: Rebecca Weger: Artist. Nerd. Do-gooder.
I plan for my appointments electronically using Microsoft OneNote on both my computer and my phone. OneNote is essentially a collection of virtual binders. I have a binder titled “Health,” and one of the sections in “Health” is “Doctors and Records.”
Plan out my agenda:
Several days before my medical appointment, I open up OneNote on my computer. In “Doctors and Records” I add a new page. I title it with a consistent naming convention, using the date of the appointment: “Year.month.date Doctor Name”.
Once I have my page, I start writing my agenda and talking points. These are the most important points for me to consider:
- What is it that I’m hoping to get out of this appointment?
- What is my status update since my last appointment?
- What are the most important topics to cover?
- What questions do I need answered?
- Is there something I keep meaning to tell her but never get to?
- What information does the doctor need to know?
- Is there data I need to share?
- Are there actions I’m asking the doctor to take?
I start writing an outline, and fill in notes as bullet points so I don’t forget anything.
Consider other data or documents:
If there is data I need to share, I collect that and organize it. For example, I track certain bits of health data every day in a spreadsheet. I might need to summarize that data to share, such as how many days was I in bed since the last appointment? Days I had headaches? When did I start a certain medication?
Next I review and update my medication and supplement list. I keep that list in Google Drive. You’d think it would also be in OneNote, but it isn’t. And that’s because I want key contact people, like the person who is my health care proxy, to be able to have access to it if something comes up. Since it’s in Google Drive, I can share the folder and file with whomever I want. And I can also access it from my phone anywhere I have an internet connection. I keep the last update date on the top of the list so that it’s easy to know if it is current.
I consider whether there are any other documents that I might need to bring and share. Was there paperwork from the doctor’s office? Do I have a report to share? Did I read something I need them to look at?
Make sure I cover everything:
At this point I go to my planner. I hand write the list of everything I thing I need to take with me to the appointment, usually on the day before.
Then I go about my life. As I think of other things, I just go back and add them to my agenda and notes.
I refine the order of items on my agenda if needed, focusing on the most important at the top. That way, if there isn’t time for everything, I know I’ve gotten the most important bits. Some of my doctors use electronic communication for follow up. If this is for a doctor who does, I’ll put things at the lowest priority that I know could be dealt with that way after the appointment.
Assembling my files:
On the day indicated on my planner, usually the day before the appointment, I print out all necessary documents, including my agenda. For some items, I might print off two copies – one for me and one for the doctor. I do this with my medication list. I put them in a file folder or on a clipboard, and put them in my bag with a pen.
At the appointment:
On the day of my appointment, I arrive early so I’m not rushed. When I get to the office or exam room, I set myself up so that I have easy access to my agenda and any other documentation.
- I follow my agenda as closely as I can.
- I check off items as I go.
- I take notes.
- If anything requires follow up or next steps from me, I write an asterisk next to it.
- At the end of each topic, I reflect back what I think I heard if it was a complicated conversation. I ask clarifying questions if there is anything I don’t understand.
- If a doctor proposes a new test, I make sure I know what it is for. What will it tell us? What will we do with the information? Are those next steps things that I’m interested in or will be useful?
- If the conversation is moving too quickly, I let the doctor know I need a minute to catch up in order to make sure I took good notes.
When I leave the office, I make sure the next appointment is in my electronic calendar. I take the visit summary paperwork.
After the appointment:
- The next day, I look over my notes. If there are items with asterisks, I copy them into my planner as tasks.
- I go into OneNote on my phone, back to the agenda and notes page I wrote for the appointment. I take a photograph of my notes, and insert it into the page.
- I take the visit summary paperwork and the hardcopy of my notes and put them in a folder established for that doctor or illness or specialty.
- If I forgot something, or have a follow up question, I send an electronic message to the doctor through the portal.
Learn More
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