Help your doctor understand your problem

You get only a limited amount of time with your doctor. So you need to make the best of it. Here's how.

Doctors have a busy schedule, so if you proactively provide them with information about your health, rather than have them fish it out of you, so much the better. Here are some tips:

Electronic medical record.
Pic: Wikimedia commons

Be specific about what brings you to doctor. Explain the symptoms, mention duration of symptoms, any precipitating factor that you think has brought it up, if chronic then for how long it has been persisting. A few examples…

Pain in the abdomen: site of pain, whether acute or chronic, whether it shifts from where it started from, or radiates to another region, whether aggravated by or relieved by meals / vomiting/ change of posture, or pressure, whether first episode, or have there been previous episodes.

Fever: Whether it is continuous, or follows any particular pattern. Does the fever comes only in evening, is it high grade or low grade. Are any of the glands enlarged, is there any history of infection, is it associated with any rashes, is it recurrent?

Ensure you share past history of any disease, allergies or reaction to any drugs. Do not forget to inform about family history of diabetes /hypertension/ heart disease/cancers, any surgeries undergone, or history of sudden death especially amongst siblings or parents.

What goes into your medical record?

While it is best to maintain a file of all the documents, it helps if you have a document which summarises your medical history, and reports of investigations in a chronological order. You need to update it following every medical consultation.

Those who are tech savvy should save their medical records digitally. Electronic Medical records (EMR) are also a way of maintaining medical records. These are usually password protected, and when required printouts can be taken.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Fostering and caring for sick cats: A comprehensive resource guide

Bangalore Cat Squad volunteers highlight the resources available in Bengaluru for animal rescuers, fosters and cat parents.

In part 1 of this series, our Bangalore Cat Squad (BCS) volunteer wrote about her experience caring for her first rescued kitten, Juno. In the second part, we will guide readers on how to foster cats, and the process of adoption and caring for cats with feline distemper/simian parvovirus (SPV).   Therapists often recommend animal companionship, and many people have asked for our help in this regard. Using expert insights, we have developed methods to assess, assist, and enable adoptions for those grappling with mental health issues. Witnessing lives revitalised and spirits uplifted by the profound affection of a small…

Similar Story

Rescue, rehome, rehabilitate: Behind the scenes with Bangalore Cat Squad volunteers

In Part 1 of a two-part series, animal welfare volunteers in Bengaluru talk about rescuing sick animals and nurturing them back to health.

As co-founders of Bangalore Cat Squad(BCS), started in 2014 — one of India’s only dedicated feline rescue networks and cloud shelters, we annually rescue, rehome and rehabilitate more than 2,000 felines and canines in need. We thrive on the dedication of our volunteer fosters, who provide over 50 safe havens across Bengaluru for distressed animals. We manage urban stray animal populations, offer medical care, and find homes for disabled, sick, elderly, or incapacitated animals that can no longer survive on their own. BCS's essence lies in the altruism of its volunteers — a diverse group ranging from CEOs to students,…