Today, I'd like to tell you how to get the very most out of your visit to your doctor. In a previous episode, I discussed that it's normal to be nervous when you're going to see your doctor. As a matter of fact, when physicians are patients, they're nervous when they go to see their doctor. So if we assume that it's a given that it's normal to be nervous, let's factor that into your visit, and I'll give you four pieces of advice so you can get the very most from your visit.
First of all, write down on a list, all of the questions you want to discuss with your doctor. It's okay to make a list. We make shopping lists. We make todo lists. Why not make a "to ask" list. This way you don't have to worry about forgetting anything.
Number two, focus on what the doctor is saying. Listen to his or her words. Don't be thinking ahead to your next question. You don't have to worry about forgetting your question because remember, you wrote them down on your list.
Third, ask the nurse to write out instructions specifically for you relating to all of your medications, activity, food, diet, etc., because those are easy things to forget.
And fourth, and most important, if you really want to get the most from your visit, take a second person with you -- a relative, a good friend -- to act as a second set of ears and to help retain more of what happened during that visit.
And by the way, don't worry about remembering all of the things I've told you during this "virtual doctor's visit" because I've written it all down for you. Just click the "text" button right below this episode, on DermTV.com.
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