How do I find and prepare for medical and care discussions?
It doesn't matter if it's a new doctor, a current doctor, a nurse, a dentist, an insurance agent, or a retirement housing director. The reality is that each is speaking and listening from their own perspective, and only you know what you want and need.
Often you need to give a lot of the same information, so they know what’s changed – before a discussion even starts. That results in less time focused on why you are there. Technology is changing how you can prepare better.
But it’s incumbent on you to learn how to use the tools. Patient portals let you do more and more for yourself. You can request prescriptions and update pharmacies. You can request, schedule, and get lab tests before a checkup. You can upload advanced directives, POLSTs, and Medical POAs. When medical teams are all on the same system, they can view your records in real time and coordinate your care better. Telemedicine calls to complement in person physical meetings are normal now. These all make your facetime with doctors more productive.
Before you meet, consider what you need to bring and what you want to learn. Use a checklist to help you stay on track. Each discussion is different and the list changes as you get questions answered, and other questions arise. (Caveat – Competing firms often highlight questions that they think are useful starting points and some are included below.)
Some “Checklist” ideas and starting points:
1. Guide to choosing a hospital
2. 17 questions to ask when choosing a new doctor
3. Caregiver’s doctor visit worksheet
4. Preparing to apply or re-enrolling in the ACA marketplace.
5. Find the right dentist for you
6. 10 questions to ask assisted living facilities
7. How to choose a nursing home