To get the most benefit out of a visit to your doctor, you should prepare beforehand! It really pays off to write down your questions in advance. Now there are resources available to help you get ready.
In my campaign to encourage patients to talk openly to their physicians I came across CHOOSING WISELY http://www.choosingwisely.org/
“Choosing Wisely is focused on encouraging physicians, patients and other health care stakeholders to think and talk about medical tests and procedures that may be unnecessary, and in some instances can cause harm.”
CHOOSING WISELY has published “evidence-based recommendations physicians and patients should discuss to help make wise decisions about the most appropriate care based on their individual situations” in over 30 clinical areas.
To learn more about CHOOSING WISELY highlight and click on open hyperlink http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/
You can practice by learning about “sinusitis”, highlight and click on open hyperlink http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/treating-sinusitis/
or lower- back pain, highlight and click on open hyperlink http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/imaging-tests-for-lower-back-pain/
or colonoscopy, highlight and click on open hyperlink http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/colonoscopy/
Note: This blog shares general information about understanding and navigating the health care system. For specific medical advice about your own problems, issues and options talk to your personal physician.