Nothing is more important than YOUR Health!
Your Office Visit and What to Expect
When you visit a physician's office, you can expect a friendly and welcoming environment. Upon arrival, you'll check in at the “front” desk, where staff will assist you with any necessary paperwork. After a brief wait, you’ll be called into the examination room, where the physician will discuss your concerns and conduct a physical examination. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, as your comfort and understanding are important during your visit.
Guidelines
-
Pre-schedule whenever possible. Same-day appointments in office invites should be available readily. Discuss the need for an extended appointment if you anticipate that as a possibility for each visit. Notify the receptionist of any special needs or accommodations.
-
Be sure everyone is fed before departing for the visit. Minimize possible trash to be left at the office. The office will have bathroom accommodations.
-
Prepare a list, perhaps on your cell phone, of all the problems and issues you expect to address and be sure to take it with you.
-
Bring with you all medical and interval medical records, identification, insurance membership card, and means of payment.
-
Dress appropriately, expecting to be examined from head to toe with a gown and chaperone present when appropriate.
-
Minimize the number of persons accompanying you. Bring appropriate, non-disturbing, entertaining material for you and children.
-
Be sure to bring a reliable translator if needed and/or have a translator available by phone who you feel can be confidential and is medically literate, if possible.
-
Arrive sufficiently before the scheduled visit to accommodate registration procedures (usually 15 to 30 minutes).
-
If you have an urgent medical situation (breathing, bleeding, severe pain, etc.), notify the receptionist and/or senior medical staff upon arrival.
-
Remember that the receptionist, almost always a non-medical professional, has the most difficult office job. Amongst her continuing chaotic responsibilities are sitting face-to-face with the waiting patients, receiving and registering patients, verifying identity and insurance, asking for and collecting money, timely answering the phone, scheduling, checking out, handling mail, interoffice communication, and many more, many times daily.
-
Do not be surprised if you arrive on time and still have to wait excessively. What that usually means is that you have chosen the provider who gives patients the time that they need, rather than one that is driven by a schedule.
-
Others who arrive after you may be seen before you for various reasons, including medical urgency and pre-scheduling.
-
Both patients and providers have generally accepted established “rights and responsibilities.” They should be respected by all the staff and yourself.
-
When placed in the exam room, listen carefully and follow the instructions of the staff promptly.
-
With the provider’s permission, consider recording the office visit on your cell phone for your review as a reminder afterward.
-
Ask all of your questions at the beginning of the visit so that your provider can organize his or her thoughts and the exam and discussion processes. Try to never say, “Oh, by the way,” as you’re leaving the exam room.
-
Expect to provide a complete medical history and undergo, as appropriate, a complete or limited medical examination.
-
If your provider does not use a teach-back technique (asking you to repeat back what you were told and understood), you should offer to explain what you understood to be sure that you know it correctly and completely.
-
Redress quickly and take all of your belongings with you, quickly exiting the exam room to make it available for other waiting patients.
-
Say “thank you” to all as you leave.
-
Be sure to check out, as there may be additional procedures and payments to complete and a follow-up appointment to be scheduled.