How to Get Top-Notch Medical Care

While it would be comforting to assume that all doctors follow best medical practices, the quality of medical care can vary widely. Take responsibility for your health and make sure you receive the best quality care. Your health must be a team effort between you and your doctor; he or she cannot take care of you if you do not do your part.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Be informed. Make it a priority to learn about how to stay healthy. Read about diet and exercise and brush up on any medical conditions you may have. If you understand your body and your health, you will be able to converse efficiently with your doctor. If your doctor sees that you have made an effort in your own health, he or she is much more likely to take your concerns seriously.
2. Listen actively to your doctor, indicating when you understand and asking questions when you do not. Your doctor will spend more time with you if he or she sees that you are engaged in the health care process.
3. Take care of yourself and follow your doctor's advice. If you do not, it will be obvious at your next checkup. Exercise regularly, eat right, and get enough sleep. If you are actively participating in your health care, your doctor will be more likely to try to help you.
4. Take prescription drugs as directed. You will get the best result if you take prescription medication exactly as prescribed.
5. Communicate with your doctor if you have questions, do not understand his or her instructions or do not seem to be getting better even though you follow instructions. Your doctor cannot know what you do not communicate.
6. Keep medical appointments and be on time. You cannot get the best medical care if your doctor has to rush through it or is upset because you are late. If you cannot make an appointment, call 24 hours in advance to reschedule.

Tips & Warnings

• Be courteous to the doctor's assistants and nurses. You will not endear yourself to your doctor by being rude.
• Speak up if you feel your doctor is not listening to your concerns. If your doctor still does not listen, seek a second opinion.
• Keep a list of all your current prescription drugs and take it with you to all your doctor appointments.
• Make a list of questions you want to ask your doctor and take it to your next visit. This way, you'll be less likely to forget. Or, take a friend or relative to your appointment with you to be a second set of ears.