Tips for the Patient

Create a medical notebook – include:

1. Doctors’ names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses
2. Medications the patient takes and dosages and why he/she takes those medications – actual times of day patient takes the medications, and when they were first prescribed
3. Pharmacist’s name, address, phone number
4. Ongoing diary of every visit to a doctor, dentist, lab – including: questions asked, answers to those questions and  instructions for the patient (click here so a sample patient fact sheet you can use to keep track of this information)

In the doctor’s office:

1. Take your notebook and write down date of visit and your questions
2. Review prescriptions, making sure you can read the handwriting
3. Ask for the generic name and dosage, time of day and how long to take this medication
4. Find out side effects and what you should do if you experience one
5. Find out when you can expect lab results
6. Find out what follow up to the visit is your responsibility and what are the doctor’s responsibilities.

For the hospital: Go to hospitalcompare.hhs.gov to check on hospital safety ratings.

1. Bring your notebook
2. Find out how long you will be in the hospital
3. While there, write in this notebook the names of all physicians, consultants and nurses whom you see – what time you saw them – what they said
4. Make sure everyone who touches you has washed his hands

Your rights as a patient:

1. Hospitals have patient’s rights documents – make sure you read them
2. A doctor and hospital must receive a patient’s informed consent before a surgery or a procedure is performed – do not simply sign – ask for an explanation of your treatment
3. Find out recommended procedures and the risks and benefits
4. Find out alternatives to the recommended procedure and the risks and benefits

Discharge:

1. Make sure to find out what treatment you received – medications you need to continue and schedule of those medications – when to follow up with the doctor
2. Your medication may have changed while hospitalized.  Make sure you know if you should continue with the ones you took before you were hospitalized or if those medications have been changed
3. Do not leave without your discharge order and a clear idea of what your expectations should be of your recovery.  Ask about follow up care and whether you will need a visiting nurse or physical therapy.

Second opinion: 

Diagnostic errors can often be detected by a fresh set of eyes.  Second opinions offer a way to substantially decrease the risk of diagnostic error.  But here are a few things to think about if the patient is considering getting a second opinion:

1.  Financial costs are involved in obtaining a second opinion
2. There is the possibility of extra testing and extra stress if opinions differ about the patient’s condition
3. A second opinion may not be necessary for non-critical conditions, but should be considered if a patient is faced with a major illness or a critical decision

The health care industry is currently under lots of different pressures.  Please remember to thank those individuals who deliver the health care that is correct, courteous and includes you in your treatment and recovery.