"10 Tips to Maximize Physician Visits"

1) First things first: Paperwork and previous physicians.

Complete required paperwork before an initial visit with a new physician.

Information on health history, insurance card and a photo I.D. (now required to minimize risk of insurance fraud) are common requests. Your new physician will also need your written authorization to obtain medical records from previous doctors.

2) Write down a comprehensive personal health history.

"Putting you health his in written form before your appointment allows the patient to gather their thoughts and remember everything they want to. You have all the fact; then you can spend more time in dialogue discussing issues that are of immediate importance," said Dr. Mel Hector, local family practice physician and geriatrician.

Another plus to advance preparation? Gathering the information from home allows access to accurate details regarding hospitalizations, emergency visits and medical diagnoses.

3) Address allergies to medications: Effect is as important as cause.

"If you were told you were allergic to penicillin when you were 2 years old because you had a rash, you may or may not truly be allergic.

"But if you had an anaphylactic reaction last year, you truly are," Hector said.

Communicate any problems with anesthesia and complications during surgery as well.

4) Immunizations aren't just for babies.

Immunization records are critical for children, but they are vital for adults as well.

"Lots of people in their 70s, 80s or 90s have never received a tetanus shot, and they are the ones who die of tetanus," Hector said.

Include shot records for pneumonia vaccine and flu in your assessment.

5) Carry your medications.

"You should bring your medicine with you every time you visit the doctor. If you want to bring a list, you need to name, milligram size, know often you take it and what you think it is for. And people need to include everything they take: over-the counter products, vitamins, birth control pills, health store products, naturopathic remedies, sleeping pills. Many or these have interactions with prescription medications," Hector said.

6) Be honest: Personal information can have medical implications.

Accurate information about you lifestyle-hobbies, occupation, living arrangements, pets and religion - is often relevant to heath care and treatment.

"Information given to your doctor is considered privileged and confidential. It is essential to tell the truth about how much you smoke, drink, gamble or are abused. Your doctor can't help you if these important health care issues go unmentioned or are minimized," Hector said.

7) Be prepared: Prioritize your questions.

Hector suggests patients bring a list of questions for their physician, addressing the most important concerns first.

"It may be in human nature to put off the really important issues, but you won't get your best answer if you wait until the end of your appointment to discuss them," Hector said.

8) Communicate your concerns.

Before you leave, ask yourself the following: Do you understand the answers to your question? Are you able or willing to follow through on advice the doctor has given you?

"If patients are neither able or willing, they should tell the doctor.

"Years ago I had a patient with a leg wound, and he was supposed to change the dressing and wash it twice a day. It wasn't until I made a home visit that I realized he didn't have running water. I he had said to, 'That's great advice, but I can't do it,' we could have made other arrangements".

9) Update your primary care physician.

At follow-up appointments, inform your physician of visits to any specialists - cardiologists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists, obsterician-gynecologists, plastic surgeons.

Mention medication changes or new test the specialist may have ordered.

"If a physician doesn't know that medications have been changed or stopped by other physicians, he or she goes on the assumption that you are continuing with what was prescribed," Hector said.

10) Let your wallet speak for you.

In an emergency, a summary of your health history, physicians and medications may help save your life.

Resource: Dr Mel Hector, Family Practice and Geriatrics, 1980 W. Hospital Drive, Tucson AZ.

"10 Tips to maximize physician visits." by Loni Nannini © 2000 Arizona Daily Star