Visit prep

Last week I mentioned being prepared for your visit and what that entails. I also mentioned writing down your top 2-3 concerns. Today, I will explain why is this important.

If you are young and mostly healthy, you shouldn't have too many health concerns. It's still important to connect with your PCP annually; think PAP, mammo, colorectal screenings, HTN monitoring, etc. Because you're "healthy" (meaning you do not take medication regularly or have any chronic diseases; HTN, DM), seeing your PCP annually is usually fine. This allows the relationship to stay open and connected, it updates your medical history (Did you have a baby? Mother with new HTN diagnosis?), gives us a chance to update your labs and notice any trends, and allows us to offer routine screenings. If you have a cough/cold/stomach bug, it's always a good idea to check-in. We can keep the relationship current make sure it isn't developing into something more serious.

The reason why I recommend 2-3 issues/visit is this: You get 20 minutes with me, lets spend that time focused deeply on a few issues rather than skim across 5-6 things. Here's an example: a patient comes in and wants to discuss globus (feeling of something stuck in the throat), acid reflux, and decreased hearing in the right ear. Issue 1 and 2 are possibly connected and are possible easy fixes. Issue 3 is possibly due to impacted ear wax and is a quick ear lavage away from perfect hearing! If a patient comes in and says they have nausea and vomiting for 1 week, bloody stool x2 weeks, chest pain, shortness of breath, leg pain, and allergies, I am not going to address all of these issues. 1) this patient has too many issues to be safely addressed at one visit. 2) the chest pain and SOB are more concerning and need to be evaluated. 3) this patient possibly has chronic diseases they are unaware of and need more time and attention.

Patient number 2 will be evaluated and then scheduled for a follow up. There are simply too many issues and not enough time to address them adequately. It's ok to have several problems! When it rains, it pours! Healthcare is no different! Give us a chance to help you and provide great care by giving us time to explore reasons for the problem.

Now is a good time for my disclaimer.

I am a Nurse Practitioner; licensed by the State of California. The content on this site is strictly for informational purposes only. There is no medical advice and nothing posted should be construed that way. The information posted does not imply consent between you and I as a patient-provider relationship. Please find a local, trained healthcare provider for their medical advice and treatment. If you have health issues, please make an appointment with a licensed healthcare provider in your area and consult them. Additionally, you agree that you shall not make any health or medically related decisions based on any information you obtain from this site. Please, do your due diligence and consult with a health care provider before engaging in diets, exercises, or other changes to your physical being that may have an impact on your health and medications. The opinions stated are mine, unless otherwise indicated, and should not be construed as direct medical advice for yourself, sister, brother, mother, aunt, cousin, BFF, sisters friends grandmas dog.

:)