Tips to help ensure an accurate diagnosis
Before you see your doctor, create a symptom diary. Document your symptoms in a notebook, on your smartphone or other electronic device. Answer these questions:
What makes your symptoms worse or better, such as exercise or eating a meal?
Time of day your symptoms are better or worse?
Was there a physical event or new medication associated with the onset of your symptoms?
What you have tried to alleviate your symptoms? Was anything successful?
If pain accompanies your symptoms or pain is the symptom, track it. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the worst, document it daily.
Bring your symptom diary with you to see your doctor and discuss it with him/her.
List of questions before you see your doctor
Create a list of questions before you see your doctor. This allows you to think about what you need to focus on. Document the answers and other information the doctor explains.
You are given a new diagnosis
If you are given a new diagnosis from your doctor, consider asking these questions:
What is my diagnosis and what does it mean?
Are there any other possible diagnoses?
How did you arrive at this diagnosis? (i.e., test results, physical exam, radiology report, etc.)
What is my treatment plan?
When do I follow up with you about my treatment plan?
If you suspect a misdiagnosis
If your treatment is not helping your symptoms, discuss it with your doctor.
It’s possible that there is an alternate treatment that might work better for you.
Ask your doctor if it’s possible that you might have a different diagnosis.
Ask that tests be repeated or read by a different clinician
Tests can be wrong, or they can be read incorrectly. Ask that tests be done a second time or read by another doctor. Some doctors just read the radiology reports from imaging studies you’ve had. Ask that your doctor or another doctor to read the actual tests.
Get copies of your medical records
Obtain copies of your pertinent tests such as MRI, CT scan, x-ray, blood test results, surgery/op report.
Patients are sometimes afraid to get second opinions. Please don’t be. It is your right and should not offend any medical professional.
Ask a doctor and/or RN you respect and have confidence in to recommend a specialist.
Contact your loved ones and colleagues for a recommendation for a respected physician to see for a second opinion. You will see some of the same names duplicated.
Bring copies of your pertinent medical records such as MRI, CT scan, x-ray, surgery report, and blood test results, to each visit with a doctor.
If you are informed about your diagnosis, you will be better prepared to ask questions. Go to credible websites such as:
medical schools, medical societies or academies
Bring a loved one with you
It’s not easy for anyone to correctly remember medical information explained by a doctor. Especially if you aren’t feeling well. Bring a loved one with you to each appointment with a doctor. Ask that person to take notes. You can review the information at a later time.
Martine Ehrenclou is a patient advocate. She is the author of Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out Alive and the Take-Charge Patient.
Everyone should read this! No one really teaches you how to be a patient or to get results from your appointments, and it’s harder than you’d think! It took me a few years to figure all this out, and there are still a couple things here I can use. Unfortunately, this still won’t guarantee a good result, but it should increase your chances. A few people have pointed out that this kind of thing can help your concerns be taken more seriously by Dr’s if you are being dismissed for any reason
