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Proverbs 19:20 - Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

​If you’ve battled chronic pain or an illness for any length of time, I think you’ll agree that it can be difficult to keep track of all of the doctor visits, procedures, tests and prescription medications you take.
                                  
One way to make life a bit easier is to keep track of them in a notebook. Buy one that has dividers and pockets. Have a divider for each physician you see and one for test results.
 
Take your notebook with you whenever you have a medical appointment. Bring someone with you who can take notes during the office or hospital visit. This way you can see what types of medical interventions you have had in the past and also review the notes taken after the appointment just in case you forget something that was discussed. Your doctor will appreciate that you are taking an active role in your care. In addition, your notebook can be a place where you write down any questions you have to ask your physician at your next appointment.
 
In addition, create a “cheat sheet” of all of your medical information on one page. You can include such areas as your name, address, phone number, primary physician, preferred pharmacy, prescription drugs and allergies, surgeries and diagnosed medical conditions.
 
This is helpful when you have to fill out an update at your doctor’s office or when seeing a new physician. The “cheat sheet” is also important to have when walking into an emergency room. You won’t feel like trying to remember all of the information they ask you, and you will be able to hand them your cheat sheet for them to make a copy of. Make sure you keep your notebook and “cheat sheet” up to date.
 
Take a look at other tips to ensure an effective doctor’s appointment in the article, “Tips to Ensure an Effective Doctor Appointment,” on thecarenavigator.com. 
 
By staying organized and prepared for your medical appointments they can become more productive. And as the Bible verse above says, listen to advice and you will be counted among the wise. By taking the extra time to be prepared and by keeping your records up-to-date, you will also ease some of your anxiety over medical treatment.

​Choose the link below to find a short video from Consumer Reports, “What Doctors Wish Their Patients Knew,” along with their article on what patients could do to get the most out of their relationship with their doctors.

What Doctor's Wish Their Patients Knew