Dr.Howard Marans specializes in sports medicine, orthopedic surgery in
Fountain Valley, California.
Prepare for Your Appointment
That anxious moment in the
exam room as you wait for the doctor to arrive is not the moment to begin
preparing for your appointment. You have just 15 to 30 minutes with that
doctor. To make the most of your time together—and to ensure you get the care
you need—take a few minutes now to learn what you can do to prepare for your
next appointment. Here are six tips to get you started.
1. Gather the Right Information
Our mission is not only to
guide you to the right doctor, but to help you get the most out of your doctor
visits. The key to a successful appointment is communication. You need to
communicate your needs, understand your diagnosis, and discuss your treatment
options. Before you go, prepare ahead of time with Health grades Health
Coaches, At Your Appointment Guides, and in-depth healthcare information.
2. Identify Your Symptoms
The more accurately and
completely you can describe your symptoms, the more likely it is that your
doctor can identify your health problem and prescribe an effective course of
treatment. Before the appointment, write down all your symptoms. Describe your
symptoms in plain language, noting when they started and whether they get worse
at certain times of day or in certain situations. Also write a brief outline of
your medical history, and be sure to list all the medications you’re currently
taking.
3. Research Your Symptoms
Once you’ve identified your
symptoms, research them. The more you can learn about the possible causes of
your symptoms—and what your treatment options may be—the better equipped you’ll
be to discuss your care with your doctor and understand his or her
instructions. You can find the resources you need to research your health
problems—or to learn how to stay healthy—in our Right Care Centers.
4. Take a Health Assessment
Our Health Coaches ask you a
series of questions about a particular condition or disease. We offer Health
Coaches for the most common conditions and diseases including childhood ADHD,
depression, diabetes, knee pain, and multiple sclerosis. Each is a self-guided
health interview that helps you find out if you might suffer from the
condition, evaluate your treatment if you’ve already been diagnosed, and get a
personalized action plan, including coping tips.
5. Lead the Conversation with Your Doctor
Sometimes it’s difficult to
“find your voice” at the doctor’s office. Our At Your Appointment Guides
provide you with a series of talking points and questions to ask. We have
guides for common conditions like back pain; rare conditions like psoriasis;
and situations that require a doctor’s care like birth control. At Your
Appointment Guides contain general visit questions as well as specific
questions about your symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and medications. You can
even print them out!
6. Understand Your Procedure
If you’re likely to need a
medical procedure—whether surgery or a diagnostic test, such as a colonoscopy
or mammogram—learn all you can about the procedure before your visit so you’ll
understand your options and be able to discuss them intelligently. Health
grades offers comprehensive articles, slideshows and videos for many common
procedures that explain the purpose of the procedure, how it’s performed, the
risks involved and what you’ll need to do to prepare for it.
7. Make the Most of Your Next Appointment
Your relationship with your
doctor is a partnership. The better able you are to communicate your needs and
understand your options, the more productive your appointment will be and the
more likely you are to get the treatment you need. The time you have with your
doctor is all too brief. A little preparation will help you make the most of
your next appointment.
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