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Doctors Drugs Eyeglasses Hospitals Mammograms Medications Surgery DOCTORS Also see: HOSPITALS, ILLNESSES, INJURIES, MEDICATIONS, SURGERY; specific ailments, injuries, parts of the body FINDING A DOCTOR: _____ Decide what you're looking for in a doctor, e.g., emphasis on non-medication treatment/therapy when feasible _____ Check with the American Medical Association for recommendations _____ Check "The Best Doctors in America" books _____ Seek referrals from other doctors For any doctors you're considering using: _____ Check the doctor's credentials with the state medical board _____ Ensure the doctor: - Is qualified in the area(s) you need care, e.g., call the American Board of Medical Specialties (800 776-2378) to ensure the doctor is certified to practice in the specialty you need treatment in - disciplinary data not available - Is licensed in your state - Completed his/her residency at a reputable institution - Is Board certified - approx. 75% of doctors are board certified - Has no significant disciplinary action taken against him/her, e.g., call 888 ASK-MEDI for any disciplinary information on the doctor - $15 fee _____ Ensure: - You'll have adequate access to the doctor and the staff, in person and on phone - The doctor's office runs smoothly - The doctor encourages two-way communication through his/her demeanor - You and the doctor have mutual respect which leads to trust If you're looking for a doctor for your child: _____ Try to find a doctor who is good with children VISITING A DOCTOR: Before: _____ Write down items to discuss with the doctor, e.g.: - Ailments and symptoms you've experienced recently - Questions to ask of, and concerns to mention to, your doctor - Your treatment to date e.g., medications _____ Be prepared to give a urine sample (e.g., don't urinate before going to the doctor's office, do drink lots of fluids) If you're taking a child to see the doctor: _____ Announce the visit no more than 2-3 days before the visit so the child won't worry excessively about the visit _____ Prepare them beforehand for everything you expect to happen, including the possibility of getting a shot (don't let there be surprises) - it'll damage their trust in you, doctors and nurses Take: _____ Health insurance card and/or insurance information _____ List of all medications you're taking and/or the actual medications _____ Medical/health records _____ Check, credit card or cash to pay bill During visit: _____ Ask lots of questions, e.g.: - What tests were run - Were results of tests in the high or low range - Treatment options - Clarification of doctor's comments, advice and recommended treatment _____ Be aware that the following are commonly-overlooked diseases: - Pulmonary emboli - Heart disease (heart attack) - Tumors - Infections - Tick-borne diseases _____ Let your child sit on your lap when feasible, especially for shots, etc. If the doctor recommends/prescribes a course of action you're unsure of: _____ Get a second (and perhaps third) opinion from another doctor After: _____ Ask the doctor if you're contagious _____ Reward child for being brave Regularly: _____ Schedule a health check-up at least yearly Back to Top EYEGLASSES IF YOU THINK YOU NEED EYEGLASSES: _____ See an ophthalmologist to determine whether you need eyeglasses and to get a prescription _____ Ask an optician which frames are compatible with your prescription _____ Get lenses which provide UV protection (from ultraviolet rays) _____ Don't feel pressured to get scratch-proof or tinted lenses unless you really want them AFTER GETTING EYEGLASSES: If the glasses don't seem to be working for you: _____ Take the glasses back to the store you got them from If you're still not satisfied: _____ Take the glasses and the prescription to a different store and ask them to check the glasses - most stores will check them for free If you're still not satisfied: _____ Take the glasses back to your doctor REGULARLY: _____ Have the eyeglasses checked and adjusted For more info on buying glasses and a free face shape guide: framesdirect.com Back to Top HOSPITALS Also see: DOCTORS, ILLNESSES, INJURIES, MEDICATIONS, SURGERY; specific ailments, injuries, parts of the body - some believe that health care kills more people than everything except cancer and heart disease - 80,000 to 150,000 people died in 1996 in the U.S. from infections they caught in a hospital ASAP: _____ Check out hospital emergency rooms before an emergency happens to your family: - How accessible? - Long lines? ASAP and if you need to use a hospital: _____ Check out hospitals: - Determine if the state has a report (e.g. "hospital effectiveness report") which compares facilities by procedures for things such as death rate, complication rate, cost - Ask for the following information from the hospital (- if the hospital provides all of the information, it's probably a good place to use): - What's their infection rate? - What's their morbidity rate? _____ Call the joint commission on hospital accreditation and ask if the hospital you're considering has any infection control problems _____ Ask hospital personnel if they use special ointments on sterile sites to help control spread of infections _____ Be aware that major teaching hospitals might result in a better recovery and a shorter stay When being treated at a hospital or doctor's office: _____ Don't use cell phone near the hospital - can affect equipment _____ Ask lots of questions (the patient who asks the most questions usually gets the best care) _____ Communicate extensively with your doctor _____ Never have surgery performed on you by anyone you haven't talked to at great length _____ Ask for another doctor if you're not comfortable with your current doctor, even if you're already in the hospital _____ Have someone with you _____ Use available personnel in hospital e.g. patient advocates, patient representatives _____ Know what medications you, or your family member, are supposed to get and what dose - so you can tell nurse if nurse tries to give you wrong medication or too much of a medication Before a hospital worker touches you, your medicine or your IV: _____ Ensure they wash their hands where you can see them Back to Top MAMMOGRAMS Also see: DISEASES Before getting a mammogram: ___ Ensure the facility is accredited by the American College of Radiology and/or that the facility specializes in mammograms If you have breast implants: ___ Ensure the operator has adequate experience conducting mammograms on breasts with implants After getting a mammogram: ___ Ask your doctor, technician, etc. to double check your results ___ Ask to see your mammogram(s) and associated records ___ Get a complete physical including breast exam Back to Top MEDICATIONS - Approx. 4 of every 1000 prescriptions are wrong (e.g., wrong dose, allergic reactions, wrong therapy) ____ Never self-medicate ____ Don't take more than one medication at a time before discussing with your doctor ____ Throw out leftover anti-biotics (misuse of antibiotics leads to their ineffectiveness) Before doctor prescribes medication, especially an antibiotic or heart medication: ____ Ensure doctor knows what medications you're currently taking ____ Ensure doctor knows your drug allergy history ____ Ask about any changes in the medication's name or dosage If you have reduced kidney or liver function: ____ Ensure your medication is reduced or changed as appropriate If your doctor prescribes medication: _____ Ask the doctor and/or pharmacist for following (in writing, if feasible): - Name of the medication - What the medication is supposed to do - Dosage - How and when the medication should be taken - How long you should take the medication - Medicines (e.g., over-the-counter), food, drinks, etc. which shouldn't be taken in combination with the medication - Activities which should be avoided while taking the medication - Possible side effects - What to do if you miss a dose ____ Try to use one pharmacy for all of your prescriptions - so they will be more likely to catch potentially dangerous drug interactions and/or inappropriate prescriptions CHILDREN: If you administer over-the-counter medication: ____ Don't give aspirin to children - can cause Reye's disease ____ Don't give ibuprofen to children 6 months or younger ____ Follow recommended dosage by weight (preferred) or age on container ____ Don't continue medication too long If any of the following: - Child is 3 months or younger - Child continues to experience discomfort - Child is lethargic - Child has high fever ____ Seek medical attention Back to Top SURGERY Also see: DOCTORS, HOSPITALS; specific ailments, injuries, parts of the body Before: _____ Ask your primary care (e.g., regular) doctor to recommend a specialist _____ Get referrals from family, friends and/or associates _____ Be aware that operating rooms in hospitals are almost always required to meet more stringent requirements than those in doctors' offices _____ Try to find a doctor who is affiliated with a hospital even if the surgery would take place in the doctor's office _____ Check the experience of the surgeon(s) and hospital with your type of surgery _____ Check the morbidity rate of the surgeon(s) and hospital _____ Learn about the potential risks and benefits - so you can ask good questions _____ Be aware that even elective surgery can be risky, especially if it requires general anesthesia _____ Determine whether the primary surgeon will be present for the entire operation _____ Determine whether unlicensed surgical assistants will be performing any portions of the surgery _____ Consider giving and storing some of your blood for possible use during your surgery - to avoid the risk of receiving contaminated blood _____ Ask about receiving protective antibiotics before surgery to help prevent an infection _____ Ask your doctor about taking painkillers before the surgery - may result in less pain after surgery _____ If appropriate and feasible, request that a hologram be developed of the area to be operated on (using CAT scan/MRI data) for the surgical team to review before operating _____ Ask where incisions will be made _____ Ask what restrictions you could experience in your activities after surgery - to determine what kind of assistance you might require and to help decide if and when to have the surgery _____ Research your type of surgery (e.g., on the Internet) _____ Ask how you should prepare for the surgery, e.g.: - What to eat and what not to eat - What to bring to the hospital/office _____ Ask to keep any body parts removed during surgery _____ If you are used to having one or more caffeine drinks a day, ask about having some caffeine injected into your blood during surgery - to help prevent having a caffeine withdrawal headache right after surgery _____ Ask if you can listen to an hypnosis tape during surgery Right before: _____ Start listening to an hypnosis tape After: _____ Continue listening to an hypnosis tape COSMETIC SURGERY: Before: _____ Avoid, or delay, deciding to have it if you're going through a personal crisis (especially in a relationship) _____ Determine how your life will be impacted during recovery from surgery including: - Ability to wear contacts - Ability to eat - Recovery treatment required e.g., bandages, ice packs _____ Consider numerous small procedures vice a few comprehensive procedures _____ Consider laser surgery/resurfacing (see Laser Surgery) _____ Contact the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons for the names of board-certified surgeons in your area and request the names of some of their patients for you to contact LASER SURGERY: Before: _____ Be aware of potential risks: - Skin may stay red for up to 8 months after treatment - Permanent skin discoloration or darkening - Permanent scarring _____ Have a simple pre-surgical test done to determine if you have a tendency to form keyloids _____ Ensure the doctor performing the surgery is well-trained in the procedure, especially in how to protect your eyes, etc. _____ Ensure the doctor has taken a course approved by the American Society of Laser Surgery and Medicine - in most areas, licensed M.D.'s are not required to have specialized training and there are no guidelines for such training Back to Top
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