I've written this brief text more with the aim of guiding my patients on what is important to bring to their return appointments with me, but I believe it could be useful for all of you, patients and health professionals in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Usually, every patient who comes to see me has two evaluations included in the consultation fee: the first one, which lasts about an hour, and a return visit up to 60 days later, which lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Existing regulations define the \u201creturn visit\u201d as the moment when the doctor, through the patient's report, evaluates the results of the measures recommended at the previous visit and indicates the necessary changes to the patient's treatment plan; the concept is simple, but I realize that many patients are still very confused by it and end up \u201cforgetting\u201d what is really fundamental for a productive return visit... So let's get to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What should I bring with me to a return appointment (preferably written down, so I don't forget important information)? Above all, as Socrates would say, \u201cKnow thyself\u201d: every patient must observe themselves well in order not only to notice the changes that occur in them, but also to record them so that they can be reported later; after all, it is based on these that the doctor can evaluate their conduct with the patient who, if they don't pay attention even to themselves, who will say anything about the treatment? Therefore, in addition to any test results and general reports\/statements obtained, every patient should bring, above all, quality answers (complete and truthful... Lying to the doctor sabotages their own treatment!) to these questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1\ufe0f\u20e3 How are you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is possibly the most important question, as it summarizes your subjective perception, as a patient, of the overall results of the treatment in relation to your expectations. And always remember that not everything you expect from a treatment is possible to achieve with good health (or the cost would be too high for you).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2\ufe0f\u20e3 Any new situations\/occurrences?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Has anything new happened in your life since your last appointment that may have affected your health and the effectiveness\/appropriateness of your treatment? If so, you need to be informed so that the doctor can assess the impact of this and take any necessary measures to adapt and even overcome the effects on you, whether it's an emergency room visit or emotional stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3\ufe0f\u20e3 What did you do, what were you told to do?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Telling the doctor clearly what you did and didn't do, as instructed by the doctor at the previous appointment, is fundamental. After all, if you did everything you were told and didn't get good results, \u201cthat's one thing\u201d, but if you didn't even follow the instructions properly, you really couldn't expect great results, could you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4\ufe0f\u20e3 What has improved? What got worse? What stayed \u201cthe same\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here, I suggest you make a table in which you list all the complaints you brought to the first appointment, placing them in one of the three categories mentioned above; after all, each sign\/symptom can only have improved, worsened or remained unchanged after treatment, right? Knowing all this allows the professional to infer what should or shouldn't be changed, on what basis and even how to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n