How to Get the Most out of Your

Doctor Visits

Jeffrey Potter, MDClinical Assistant Professor

University of VirginiaDivision of Rheumatology

October 24, 2015

Disclosures

None

Introduction

Before Your Visit During Your Visit After Your Visit Discussion

Before Your Visit

Before Your Visit Appointment Times Chart Preparation Hospital Rounds Private Practice vs

University Clinic

Before Your Visit

Arrive on-time / early Referral Status / Insurance Cards Abbreviated Medical Records

Initial Visit

Before Your Visit

Current Medications / Changes Dress Appropriately Take Pictures!!! Keep a list of questions / concerns

Visit Goals

During Your Visit

During Your Visit History

“What brings you in today?”

Physical “What does your lupus

look like?” Impression /

Recommendations “I think we should…and

this is why”

During Your Visit

Describe symptoms chronologically Problems with ADL’s Sick contacts

During Your Visit

“Honesty is the best Policy” Medication administration / affordability Social History

“I don’t understand” “What’s your impression?”

After Your Visit

After Your Visit

Documentation Correspondence

Sharing of consult records with PCP EMR email system Lab / Imaging Results

Recognizing Office Staff After Visit Summary

References The Lupus Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and

Families (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) 1st Edition Donald E. Thomas Jr. MD FACP FACR

Optimizing Adherence Through Provider and Patient Messaging. Millman MD, Den Hartog KS. Popul Health Manag. 2015 Oct 9.

Perspectives of Patients, Caregivers, and Medical Staff on Greetings in Oncology Practice: A Prospective Survey. Limon D, et al J Oncol Pract. 2015 Sep 15

The Evolution of Patient Decision-Making Regarding Medical Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Mathews AL, et al Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2015 Aug 28

References Why do patients with systemic lupus erythematosus take or fail to

take their prescribed medications? A qualitative study in a UK cohort. Chambers SA, et al Rheumatology (Oxford). 2009 Mar;48(3):266-71

Physician-patient interactions and outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a conceptual model. Beusterien K, et al Lupus. 2013 Sep;22(10):1038-45

Structuring the patient-physician encounter: Joint creation of an actionable roadmap to health. Freedman SD, et al Healthc (Amst). 2014 Jul;2(2):94-8