Dianne Photo
In This Issue
Be prepared
Important documents
High expectations
In the news
At the movies
Community events
Find us on Facebook!
Get more news and useful links automatically.
Would you like to receive monthly updates, health tips, and news from Healthassist?

Please add
[email protected]
to your address book to ensure delivery to your inbox.

Did you receive this email from a friend and would like to get your own copy?

Join Our Mailing List
Issue: #007                       October, 2010

Welcome to Autumn!


Following the lazy days of summer, it was time for me to achieve a goal I set for myself last spring. I was about to embark on the development of a very important relationship, one with a new primary care physician.


I'd considered making a change for a very long time but never made the time to do the work it takes to conduct research, make an appointment, verify insurance coverage and show up at the office. As one who coaches others to take control of their own healthcare, it was time for me to "walk the walk." Little did my new primary care physician know that she was about to meet a patient with extremely high expectations for healthcare professionals and someone who continually "Challenges the Process."


In this newsletter, I share how I prepared for my first appointment and include tips on how you can take the same steps and, hopefully, end up with the same positive results.


With wishes for good health,

Dianne signature

Dianne Savastano, BSN, MBA

President, Healthassist


Be prepared
The definition of "to prepare" is to make ready beforehand for a specific purpose, to put in a proper state of mind. Among the benefits of preparation is a reduction of fear and anxiety, an advantage that helps you to share information openly and listen more effectively.


The primary responsibility for preparing for a physician appointment is yours. After all, you would never show up at a business meeting without thinking about it ahead of time.


I prepared the same way I do for my client meetings. I created a written agenda that outlined expectations for my appointment and I shared it with my doctor at the beginning of the visit. Here's what it looked like:


Objectives
* To develop a trusting relationship with a new primary care physician
* To establish health goals for the future


Discussion topics
* Why I selected a new primary care physician and why I chose you
* Communication methods within your practice - How do I communicate with you between appointments? Who are your fellow team members? How do you work together? What can I expect from you and your practice when I call here? How do you follow-up on diagnostic testing results?
* Past medical history (I had a written list)
* Current healthcare issues (Included on my written list)
* Preventive care 
* Healthcare goals


Plan of action/next steps


Questions


Summary


While I guarantee that most physicians will be surprised to receive a written agenda, I assure you, they will appreciate your thoughtfulness and efficiency.

Important documents

I was fortunate that, while I was changing physicians, I was staying within the same healthcare system. That meant my new primary care physician had online access to nine years of my medical records. I had my own paper copies, so I knew all that had been written about me and I even knew of a few inaccuracies that I planned to correct.


Although our healthcare system is making great strides in the development of Electronic Health Records (EHR), you can't always count on consistent accessibility. That's why I suggest that everyone create their own personal medical file by requesting relevant medical records from primary care and specialist physicians you've seen in the past. I keep these in a three-ring binder with tabs; a low tech but handy resource. When establishing a new healthcare relationship, I always make sure to share copies of what is not readily available electronically.


In my case, I brought along records from a specialist I had recently seen. I also prepared the following:


List of Medications including:

  • Current medications prescribed by physicians
  • Over-the-counter medications and supplements taken regularly
  • Medications taken on an "as needed" basis
  • Previously prescribed medications

List of Past Healthcare Issues including:

  • When the condition occurred
  • Who treated it
  • How it was treated at the time
  • How it is currently being addressed

List of Current Healthcare Issues

 

Keep It Simple

Although there are some great electronic tools available for keeping track of your medical information, I believe the best system can often be the simplest. I recommend to my clients that they use a system they feel most comfortable with. A three-ring binder, a Filofax or even a box of index cards can do the trick!


For me, Excel spreadsheets are a convenient way to store important summary information. I can make edits easily and print revised documents when necessary. My templates include my name, date of birth and allergies on the top, and date of printing on the bottom.

High expectations -> Amazing results
It is my heartfelt belief that every healthcare professional you encounter should assume the role of teacher, sharing his/her insider knowledge and guiding you as to what to expect. After all, accessing healthcare can be an anxiety-provoking experience.

Here's what happened as I entered my new physician's office:

A live person who, happily, was not hidden behind a glass window pleasantly greeted me at the reception desk. Quickly and efficiently, she verified the insurance information that I had provided electronically. Then she went on to describe what was going to happen next: my physician's assistant, Mary, would soon escort me into an exam room and gather more information from me, including height, weight and vital signs, and she would review my medications.

Mary called my name, introduced herself and her role, and shook my hand. As she edited my medication list in the electronic medical record, she expressed great appreciation for the comprehensive written list I provided. I had just made her job a little bit easier.

After weighing me (my least favorite part) and taking my vital signs, she told me the results so I could make a written note. Then she asked that I change into a gown and sit on the examination table to await my physician.

Instead, I politely stated that I preferred to be dressed while I met my doctor in person for the first time. After all, although I had done my homework and felt confident about my selection, I would only know if I had made the right choice after we talked. So, I remained fully dressed and positioned myself in a chair that would put me at eye level with the doctor, thus facilitating two-way communication.

As it turns out, my new physician was all I had hoped for!

Before she entered the room, she had reviewed the documents I prepared. After shaking my hand and introducing herself, she stated our agendas were in sync. We began our discussion touching on each of the items I outlined. She listened effectively and we had a healthy discussion through which I learned many new things. She backed up her recommendations citing research and, so I could continue my own education, she suggested online resources about several topics.

Feeling very comfortable and satisfied with how things were going, we moved forward to the physical examination. Before the visit was over, we had an action plan, all my questions were answered, and we summarized our accomplishments.

Mission accomplished.
I now have a physician partner to help promote my health, prevent disease and manage my medical issues. I left with complete confidence that if I ever became ill, I would immediately turn to this competent and kind professional. As I left, I asked myself, "Why is it you delayed making a change for so long?"


In the news

In each edition of our newsletter, we bring you news items that caught our eye.


As I embarked on my Pan-Mass Challenge ride this past August, I kept in mind the many family members, friends, colleagues and clients that had experienced cancer.


In my work with Healthassist clients, I often find myself bringing up end-of-life care, encouraging families to have direct conversations with their medical professional so they can plan. The article recently published in The New Yorker by Atul Gawande titled "Letting Go, What should medicine do when it can't save your life?" addresses this issue with realism and honesty. I highly recommend it.


What do you think of this article? Let us know - drop a note to [email protected].

At the movies

Many of my clients are elderly with baby-boomer children. The children fear for the parents' safety; the parents resent the interference of the kids. As a healthcare advocate, I often find that I am coaching both generations to appreciate that there is a balance between remaining independent and staying safe.


The movie That Evening Sun (recently out on video) dramatizes this tug and pull. I'm a huge fan of Hal Holbrook and the late Dixie Carter, who play the main characters in this story. I really enjoyed That Evening Sun -- maybe you will too.

Community events

This fall Dianne will be speaking at the following events:


Dianne's presentation: Aging and Resources

Elder Decisions / Agreement Resources, LLC
A Three Day Advanced Mediation Training in Elder (Adult Family) Mediation 
October 19-21, 2010
The Walker Center | 144 Hancock Street | Auburndale, MA
Just off Rte 95 and the Mass Pike (Rte 90)

Dianne's presentation: What's In Your Toolkit? - Checklist of Resources for Healthcare Advocates

National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants
Vision and Voice: Creating Healthcare Advocacy Skills for the 21st Century.
November 4-6, 2010
Hotel Palomar | Washington, DC

----

Healthassist offers expert help in demystifying healthcare and medical insurance. Healthassist can help you achieve a 360-degree view of your healthcare issue with information, education, advocacy and other services. Healthassist puts the client at the center of every interaction with the healthcare and insurance system. With years of experience on both the direct patient care side and business side of healthcare, Principal Dianne Savastano has the skills to offer consulting, coaching, information and assistance to help empower you to make the best decisions regarding your family's healthcare.

At Healthassist we are committed to maintaining client privacy and will never, under any circumstances, discuss your diagnosis or care with anyone without your permission. Nor do we sell or make available our client list to anyone at anytime.