Before You Go To The Doctor ...
The next time you are preparing to see a new doctor, get organized before you go. You may get more out of your first few visits and even save time and money.
Find your previous records, x-rays and lab reports and take them with you. Also, fill out and bring a Medical History Form. Providing this information to your doctor on the first visit will allow him or her to formulate a plan for your care much sooner. Your doctor may decide not to repeat tests and studies you previously had done and will not assume anything from your description that is not correct. Using a Medical History Form will help you organize information for your new doctor and will help you go to your appointment with all of the important details. Although some of this information may have to be rewritten on your doctor’s form, you will have it ready and at your fingertips.
Another time saver—ask your new doctor’s office to mail you their forms a few days before, so you can arrive at your appointment ahead of the game.
Be sure to take your insurance card and driver’s license, so the office can make copies for your insurance claim. In addition, take your medications and know which have refills and which need new prescriptions, in case your new doctor wants to continue your medications. This is also a great time to clean out your medicine cabinet. Get rid of medications you no longer take and look at expiration dates. If it is old, toss it—no exceptions. Expired medications can be dangerous to use.
Now that you have done all the work, make copies of everything and file them together. An expanding file with a slot for each family member can be a great organizational aid. Keep your files up-to-date by asking your doctor’s office for a copy of your subsequent records (including lab and test results).
Now you are ready if a situation arises, forcing you to visit an emergency room. The organized file on your family is ready and once again, you will have all of the current information that you need.
If you are looking for a new doctor in the Oklahoma City area, call the OU MEDICAL CENTER PhysicianFinder at (405) 271-5000.
Click on this Medical History Form to create a complete medical history for you and your family.
Medical History Form
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