Prep for a new doctor in 2018

After reading some recent posts, and thinking about past experiences, I thought it would be worthwhile to think about what I can do to prepare for an upcoming exam. I switched insurance/job/moved in late 2016 and have just about come to terms with not being able to see my preferred doctor anymore. Oh well :/

The new care provider is through a very large Univ hospital. Completely different than the small private clinic that I'm used to. (read my blog for my last exam experience).

I already have an appointment scheduled for mid-April, but what can I think about preparing for in the interim? What questions and behavior can I be ready with?

Hopefully I'll add this and the exam experience to my profile blog when it has happened.

Definitely being prepared with your list of medical questions and concerns, medications, and conditions is a good idea.

In regards to behaviors or how you should act, I’d recommend just going with the flow. Exams are getting breifer and less detailed as time goes on, so don’t set your expectations too high.

Definitely post about your experience though regardless of how it goes. Best of luck!!

Exams are getting breifer and less detailed as time goes on, so don’t set your expectations too high.

That's exactly what I'm most apprehensive about! I've gotten to be so comfortable with my doctor and am not looking forward to modern exam purgatory! Thanks though for the support. 😃

Exams are getting breifer and less detailed as time goes on, so don’t set your expectations too high.

Because exams are generally briefer and seem less thorough, you need to do whatever you can to utilize the time with your doctor wisely.

A few suggestions...

Most importantly is to have a full list of your current meds, conditions, and current issues and concerns. That's important. If they have an online registration system (most now do, especially a large hospital), I'd fill out all of that information ahead of time before you arrive for the appointment. That way you're minimizing the chance that they'll take time away from your actual exam just to do the paperwork.

In addition to filling out their forms, I also like to keep with me a short post-it node with a recap of my meds and my current concerns/issues. That way when I'm sitting there talking with the doctor (dressed or not), I won't forget to tell them about a particular issue that's concerning to me.

Does this hospital/doctor offer consulting "get acquainted" visits? If so, maybe you could schedule one of those ahead of your actual physical (although it's probably too late to change that now). That way you could go and meet the doctor for 5 or 10 minutes without any expectation of an actual hands-on exam. That's an opportunity to go over your history and concerns without taking away time from the actual hands-on exam. It also gives you an opportunity to see if you like the doctor and whether you think they'll be thorough. That way if you don't like them, you don't blow your once-a-year-physical on this doctor. You can still make another appointment with someone else (hopefully).

Also, I'd call the scheduling department/front desk and verify how they have your visit scheduled. Is it just a new patient office visit? Is it a wellness check? Is it a comprehensive physical exam? What terminology do they use to describe your scheduled visit? Also ask how much time they have allocated for your visit? If they say it's just a new patient visit and they have 10 minutes scheduled -- then there is something wrong. Reschedule and make sure they know that you want a comprehensive physical examination.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Well, I owe at least a quick response. I'll try to setup the complete exam story later.

For the most part, I found the doctor and nurse to be very friendly and thought that they created a welcoming exam experience. I could tell though, that they were used to cranking out exams. Processes were quick and economic in the time spent. Gown + underwear was expected of the patient, and since that was a bit novel to me I went with it openly. Without a particular health concern on my end, I didn't end up with any particular medical attention.

One thing that does stand out is that after the exam with the doctor I went down to "lab" for blood and urine samples. The blood draw was fairly regular, but for the urine sample I was sent to a public, multi-person, restroom. Potential for a bit less privacy than a single occupancy restroom, but I had no other company during my visit.