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How to Plan for an Offshore Doctor’s Appointment

Jan 12, 2011 by Health Check Admin

Maximize your time and optimize your health by preparing for every doctor’s appointment. This checklist shows you how. Excerpted from http://bit.ly/gPYS5C

Do this self-inventory any time you are scheduled to speak with or see a doctor. It will remind you to keep your eye on your solution and on track for success. Start a Scorecard to keep track of doctor responses:

Elective Procedures

Prepare to send at least part of your medical files, especially photos.
Why do you want to have this procedure?
What result do you hope for?
Have you had any elective surgeries prior to this?
Are you having any additional medical procedures while you’re in-country?
Do you have any chronic medical issues?
Allergies? Reactions to medicines / anesthesia?
Will you travel alone or with a companion?
What is your ethnic heritage?
Will you be able to stay out of the sun for two weeks or more?

Non-Elective Procedures

Write down every SIGNIFICANT ailment or condition that you have RIGHT NOW.
Describe any pain: Is it a dull ache or stabbing pain?
Is it consistent or variable?
Is it worse at different times of the day?
Have you had this problem before?
How did you treat it?
Are there any recent changes in your life (stress, medicines, travel, food, exercise, etc.)?
Does anyone else in your life have these symptoms?
How concerned are you about the problem?
What do other books or articles say about the problem?
What do you think is wrong?
Describe any abnormal rash, headaches, sadness, sudden weight gain or loss, or fatigue.

Medications

(Including prescribed medications, herbal supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter drugs & recreational drugs.)

Names:
Dosages:
Frequency:
Date you began taking medicine:
The reason you are taking medicine:
Prescribing physician (with contact info):
Special instructions (e.g., take with liquid or food):

Recent Surgery

Have you had any recent surgery?
Name of Specialist:
Purpose? Were your results normal or were there complications?

Current Health

Are any specific health conditions / symptoms bothering you now?
What are the symptoms?
When did they start?
Have you sought other medical care?
What brought on the symptoms?
Are you under any treatment for these symptoms?
Has any medical professional diagnosed you?
Are symptoms better or worse today?
Do symptoms get better or worse at certain times of day or after certain events?
What makes it better?
What makes it worse?
Are you on a special or restricted diet?

Describe Your Solution

Why are you considering this doctor in particular?
What are the success factors to your solution?
What special skills or equipment does this doctor have that hold the most promise for you?

Family History of Illness

What is the hereditary condition or ailment?
Which relatives have the hereditary condition?
How old are they or what age did they attain before death?
How was the illness treated?
If deceased, did the illness cause or seriously contribute to death?
Medically Indicated Lab Tests
What is the name of the medicine (or test, or procedure)?
Why do I need it?
What are the risks?
Are there alternatives?
What happens if I do nothing?
(For medicines), how do I take this?
(For tests), how do I prepare?

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