People sometimes assume that health care is only as good as the physician providing it. The better your health care provider, the better health care you receive, right? The MANA network has some of the best clinics and doctors in Northwest Arkansas. There are a few things, however, that patients can do to improve the quality of healthcare that they receive. Here are a few tips to ensure that you receive the best healthcare possible.
Find a doctor that you’re comfortable with
Communication is very important in health care, and finding a doctor that you feel comfortable talking to about your concerns can lead to better health care. When you’re comfortable with a physician, you may be more likely to reach out to your doctor when you have a health issue, feel free to ask questions, and provide additional information that can improve the quality of care that you receive.
Keep a journal
Document things such as sleep, symptoms you experience, mental and emotional state, and write down any information that could be useful during your next doctor’s visit. There are countless apps that make it easy and convenient to track and document your health.
Tracking these things can help you remember important details, and it also provides a better picture of what’s going on in your life.
Be honest and accurate
Maybe you don’t want to tell your doctor about things like your mental health, sexual activity, drug use, or alcohol use. It’s important to communicate these things, however. Without this information your primary care doctor doesn’t have the full picture. Being open and honest leads to better health care.
Also, try and communicate things as accurately as possible. There’s a big difference in having symptoms for “a week or so”, and having symptoms for a month. Mention any symptoms or pain you experience even if you think that it’s trivial or insignificant.
Prepare for your appointments
Before your visit, identify the things that you want to know and the things that you want your doctor to know when the exam is finished.
Write down questions that you have, and any information that you think your doctor may need to know.
Are you having any unusual symptoms? Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Are you feeling depressed or anxious? Do you experience any pain or discomfort while you exercise? Are you looking to try a new diet or start taking supplements?
These are all things that your doctor should know about.
Communicate with your doctor
You don’t have to wait until you have a problem to contact your doctor’s office. You can always call if you have questions, concerns, or if you want to provide your primary care provider with information that you think may be useful or important. Did you know you can send secure messages to your physician’s nurse through the myMANA health portal?
Schedule regular wellness exams
You want to prevent health problems before they occur. Don’t wait until something goes wrong to see your primary care provider. Schedule annual wellness exams and strive to maintain wellness. Schedule an appointment with a family medicine doctor, internal medicine doctor, or if you are female, a gynecologist!
