How to talk to your doctor

According to the Canadian Community Health Survey released by Statistics Canada earlier this year, nearly 1.7 million Canadians don't have a regular doctor. Whether it's a trip to a family doctor or a stop at the neighbourhood walk-in clinic, every Canadian wants to make the best use of any medical visit. Read on for the best ways to maximize your time during your next doctor's appointment.

1. Determine the goal of your appointment before you schedule it
"I'm sick." If you thought you could boil down your reasons for visiting the doctor into one simple catch-all phrase, think again.

People visit the doctor for a lot of different reasons, says Dr. Cathy MacLean, head of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary. Typically, patients schedule appointments because they aren't feeling well and have specific symptoms, but you may be scheduling an appointment for any number of reasons: a regular check-up, a follow-up visit, a wellness check unrelated to any negative symptoms, or a third party physical. You might even be scheduling an appointment as an advocate for someone else's medical concerns (such as a parent or child).

When you book your appointment, tell the receptionist why you're visiting the doctor so she can slot you in for an appropriate length of time. A prescription renewal won't take the same amount of time as a check-up. If you think you'll need more time than the average appointment allows, tell the receptionist.

2. Prepare before you go
If you've established the goal of your appointment beforehand, you can make the best use of your appointment by being prepared for face time with your doctor.

Make a list of your questions and concerns, starting with your key issues. Try to keep the list short -- most appointments should deal with one or two health issues and if you have your symptoms and concerns noted on paper beforehand, you won't miss anything important.

Keep these questions in mind while you're preparing for the appointment:
-What are your symptoms?
-How long have you had these symptoms?
-Are you aware of anything (food, activity, etc.) that seems to trigger your symptoms?
-Have there been any recent changes in your diet or lifestyle?

Click for more tips on how to prepare for your appointment...

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