KB Times
Katten & Benson, Your Elder Care Law Specialists
October 2010 - Vol 3, Issue 10
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| Did You Know? | - 33% of patients are unable to read basic health care information
- 60% of patients do not understand a standard informed consent form
- Patients with poor health literacy cost $58 billion annually
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| K & B Happening | 
Memory Walk 2010
Katten & Benson has team this year for the Fort Worth Memory Walk, benefiting the Alzheimer's Association. The walk is October 18. Contact Monica if you'd like to join our team.  |
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Of Course I Remember What the Doctor Said!
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 How many times have you gone to the doctor, walked out, and forgotten what the doctor said? If this has happened to you, you are in good company--80% of people forget what the doctor tells them as soon as they leave.
Allow me to illustrate:
I accompanied a client to an important doctor's appointment. Along with me, a friend of the client's was also there. I took more than a page of notes, and asked a lot of questions. After the appointment I told the client I would type up my notes and bring her a copy and email a copy to her friend. I typed up three pages of notes, which I immediately emailed to the friend. A little later the friend emailed me back, saying what a good synopsis I had provided, but then she went on to list about five other important points that I missed. I remembered when reminded, but as I was typing, those points were no where in my brain at all.
There are a more than a couple of things going on in situations like this. Patients are often anxious, especially when the topic is possible surgery or another serious medical issue. How many times have you zoned out thinking about one thing the doctor said, while she has moved on to the next subject? Patients rarely take notes. When I have that pen and paper in front of me to take notes, I'm more likely to pay closer attention, but even that's no guarantee you'll get all the information (see above). Medical personnel sometimes do a not so great job communicating. Doctors and other medical personnel are trained to talk in their professional jargon, and they often forget that many people won't know what a "CVA" is (it's a stroke), or that "ambulating 150 feet with minimal assistance" means that you can walk from your room to the end of the hall while the therapist holds on to you.
So when you put all these things together, you often get a situation where people are hearing information that is very crucial to their health, but they don't understand it, they don't remember it, and they can't tell anyone else about it, or at least not very accurately. Read on for some suggestions on how to prepare for seeing your doctor.
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Getting Ready to See the Doctor
| There are some good online tools to help you prepare for a doctor's appointment, but here's one that I really liked: Talking With Your Doctor, a Guide for Older People.
Judy Newgren, a social worker at the Geriatric Assessment and Planning Program (GAP Clinic) at the University of North Texas Health Science Center has these suggestions:
- Develop a good relationship with your doctor. Research shows that patients who have good relationships with their doctors are more satisfied with their care, and have better results.
- Make a list of questions and concerns before your appointment.
- Take a friend or relative with you to the appointment.
- Tell your doctor--don't wait to be asked. Have a health history, including all prescription and over the counter medications, as well as herbal supplements. Include any alternative treatments you receive.
- Keep a health journal. Include dates of illnesses, hospitalizations, starting new medications, and any new symptoms.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions, and be sure to let the doctor know if you don't understand the answer.
- Follow your doctor's recommendations. If you have a question about the recommendations or treatment plan, ask about it.
Don't forget that you are the most important part of your health care team.
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Don't forget that we are always here and ready to help with your long term care planning needs.
Sincerely,
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Kim Olmedo, LCSW, CCSM, CSW-G
Elder Care Coordinator
Katten & Benson
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