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Clients on the table frequently share frustration or resignation with the seemingly fragmented health services they receive. Whether searching for a new physician when their physician retires, limits to the number of symptoms addressed per visit, the quality of the engagement (which affects trust and medical efficacy) is rushed or poor, lab test or specialist requisitions are deferred - all lead to anxiety and despair in accessing necessary health care.
We hear regularly our health system is under stress, and that we have a physician shortage. There are steps you can take to improve your relationship with a physician, and hence your care and quality of life:
State the Big Picture
Write your primary three symptoms on a single sheet of paper, complete with a paragraph or two on how they affect your quality of life. List secondary symptoms in point-form following. Hand this sheet to the physician or nurse practitioner at the beginning of your visit. This will focus the conversation on your primary concerns, and the impact symptoms are having on you.
Physicians with a large daily care-load may be at fault of interrupting the patient to arrive at diagnosis more quickly, missing the context of primary concerns and leaving out important symptoms from the discussion. Your summary sheet will direct your practitioner to the bigger picture, help her/him ask better questions, and be accountable to addressing all your symptoms over time, which may take several visits.
Cultivate a Pharmacist Relationship
Pharmacists are experts in understanding the effects of pharmaceuticals, including adverse effects, drug interactions, recommended dosage. You can schedule a consultation with your pharmacist (likely a longer time limit permitted than your physician can offer), and now pharmacists can offer direct treatment for a variety of conditions in Ontario. When prescribed medication by your physician/nurse practitioner, I always recommend consulting your pharmacist as well...think of it as a team approach to your care.
Make the Call
TeleHealth services are available by phone 24/7 by dialing 811 (if you have a TTY device,1-866-797-0007). Registered Nurses can help you assess your symptoms and health status, and direct you to the most appropriate care. Health Connect Ontario provides, among other services, a medical library so you can learn more about conditions affecting your health.
Use Your Network
Ask friends and family to petition their physicians directly to accept you as a patient. You can also register with Health Care Connect to receive assistance in finding a physician or nurse practitioner.
Additional excellent advice is provided by Dr. Peter Lin in an interview with Dr. Brian Goldman on White Coat Black Art. You can review key points on excerpts from The Dose.
These include:
- Bring a list of all medications to any medical visit.
- Collect copies of your medical records and keep a personal file.
- If visiting hospital or urgent care clinic, ask about "after care".
- Provide a comprehensive list of familial diseases, which can help your practitioner target diagnostic tests and perhaps suggest pre-emptive tests.
The health care you receive can be better. I encourage you to act on your agency, and improve your health care experience. Wishing you a Happy New Year.
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