It is okay to feel overwhelmed to know that the next appointment with an internist is due. And we know you might feel more worried when it comes to going to the internist for the first time. In either situation, you should prepare a checklist. The list shows everything to keep in handy at the time of the next or first appointment.
Tips to Remember Before Seeing Internal Medicine Practitioner
Tip 1: Copy of Health Issues
Keeping a copy of all the health concerns is the key to meeting an internist. You should cover the following areas in that copy.
- All the symptoms of the current health concerns
- List down all the issues you are facing
- Put down queries related to all the health issues
This copy should remain in the file. So that, whenever you see an internist, there isn’t any need of maintaining a new copy. However, every time you see a doctor, you should update the current concerns, questions, and symptoms. It will help you as well as the doctor to find the best solution.
Tip 2: Chronological Summary of Heath Issues
Another thing that you should keep in mind is jotting health concerns; filing medical reports, assessments, and attaching prescriptions for the treatments. This trick helps best when you are diagnosed with complex illnesses or diseases. Other than that, write one or two pages of the problem. Knowing why you are seeing the internist. The summary should cover the following areas.
- Medication history
- Surgeries details (if any)
- Alternate treatments and preventive measures
What will happen if and when you will write a summary? Firstly, it will assist in organizing thoughts and secondly, it will help the internist to help you in a better way.
Tip 3: List of Current Supplements and Meds
Another important tip to visit the internist is to prepare a list of currently used supplements and medicines. This is the further step to the previously mentioned point (the one where you are asked to keep a record of prescriptions). So, the question is… what to include in the list? Well, don’t worry. Let Indus Medical Associate help you in this regard.
- Prescriptions of the medication
- Supplements and vitamins
- Over the counter meds
Note: it would be best if you write a note against meds or supplements that had side effects or reactions.
Tip 4: Contact in Case of Emergency
The file you maintained should bear the name of the doctor, his/her contact number, where to reach the highly trained physician after working hours, and where to reach him/her physically. Taking and recording everything on the file will become beneficial in case of an emergency.
Tip 5: Family Medicine and History
Collect your family medical history. Talk to your parents and siblings to know about the following questions.
- Which chronic diseases are you diagnosed with?
- What are the alarming health conditions?
- Do you have heart-related problems, diabetes, hypertension, or anything associated with mental health illnesses?
All the information will help in diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures.