As a concierge physician, I take both my time and my patient’s time very seriously. I generally devote about an hour to my initial consult with a patient. This gives me an opportunity to review their medical history with them, assess their current state of health, and make suggestions for how we can work together to improve and sustain their peak physical form.
Nothing impresses me more than a patient who is a conscious advocate for their own well-being. Coming to your appointment with an organized medical history (for those with complicated or long-term illnesses) as well as lists of medications that both have and have not worked, can show that a patient has a real respect for their own health.
But the most important thing a patient can do both on their first appointment (and every appointment that follows) would be to ask their questions.
The rule of “there is no such thing as a stupid question” was born in the doctor’s office. Every patient should feel comfortable enough to ask anything from “Why do my toenails grow so quickly?” to “should I have my blood sugar tested?”
Just as important are the questions you ask your doctor about their experience and expertise. Here are some questions you may want to ask at your next first appointment:
- Patients Like You: A good place to start is to see if your physician is familiar with patients like you. Do they have other patients who are your age, who have had similar surgeries to you in the past, who have the same diagnoses? You should feel comforted in knowing that your doctor has been there and done that, is familiar with treatment options and has worked with patients who have probably had the same questions and fears as you have now.
- Is This Your First Day? There is nothing wrong with checking to see how long your doctor has been in practice for. There are certainly benefits to doctors who are just out of medical school with the latest technology and research fresh in their minds—just as there are benefits to having a doctor who has performed the same procedures ten times a day, five days a week for the last twenty years.
- What Is Your Availability? Chances are you won’t need an emergency haircut at three in the morning or have a need for an interior decorator to rush over for a wallpaper emergency on Easter. But your physician must have a system in place for emergencies and a staff to help support all his patients and their conditions. Always ask if there is a way to contact your doctor after hours, if he has a service or another doctor who covers for him when he is on leave.
- In-Office Services: It’s always nice to know what sort of capability your doctor has within his office. Is he able to take blood work or X-rays? Can he provide an IV or other in-office infusion treatments ? Ask what sort of procedures he can do in the office as opposed to the hospital or another outpatient center.
- Holistic and Homeopathic Options: Some doctors are very strict on western medicine being the only viable option for patients, but other doctors may encourage and even recommend holistic practitioners to co-treat patients. Ask your doctor if he ever works with acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists—as well as if he will be able to recommend homeopathic supplements for your condition.
- Hospital Affiliation: Just as important as making sure your doctor is a provider through your insurance company is finding out which hospital he is affiliated with. You won’t want it to be a surprise if you end up in the emergency room and your doctor is unable to help manage your treatment there. Ask if he affiliated with your local hospital and how often he visits his patients there.
- What’s the Plan? If you’ve decided to move ahead with your treatment and this doctor, now is the time to ask about what the next step will be. Do you need any initial blood work or tests? Does your doctor have enough information about you and your medical history or do you need to supply more background information? What are his initial suggestions for treatment– including any specialized diet or exercise program?
Want to learn about what to ask during your initial appointment? Check out this page of suggestions by the Partnership for Healthcare here.
