We all know that we should eat right, exercise and not smoke. But lesser-known — and sometimes seemingly minor — choices also can affect our health and longevity. Some of the most important — and overlooked — health issues include…
Millions of Americans don’t have a primary-care physician, the gatekeeper to their overall care. Get one. A primary-care physician reviews your records at every visit… recommends screening tests… and coordinates care when you’re seeing more than one doctor.
Studies have consistently shown that adults with a primary-care physician have lower health-care costs and are less likely to die than those who use a specialist. A primary-care doctor can help you navigate the confusing health-care system. One health plan found that 41% of all referrals to specialists were made by the patients themselves, and 60% of those self-referrals were to the wrong specialists.
The average office visit is about 17 minutes, and one study found that doctors usually interrupt patients within the first 23 seconds.
Much of what doctors learn about a patient’s health comes from listening to the patient, so you must take responsibility. Before walking into a doctor’s office, decide what you want to talk about. Limit your topics to no more than four items — that’s about all that can be adequately covered in the time period — and start with the most important one. For each item, tell the doctor about the Four Ws…
A study at the Mayo Clinic found that patients remember less than half of what physicians tell them.
Solution: Take notes during office visits, or ask a friend or family member to come along and take notes for you. To remember the most important details, use the acronym DATE. Make sure you fully understand the Diagnosis… whether you need Additional tests/procedures… what the Treatment plan is… and when you need to return for further Evaluation.
Doctors are just as influenced by drug-company marketing as anyone. They’re likely to prescribe a newer — and higher-priced — drug when an older medication would work just as well. They also tend to prescribe drugs when no medication is required.
Example: In 2000, Merck, the pharmaceutical company, spent millions promoting Vioxx, a new anti-inflammatory drug that was less likely to cause stomach bleeding and ulcers than older drugs. It was good for a select group of patients, but millions of Americans without gastrointestinal risk factors also were given Vioxx — which was found to increase the risk for heart attack.
Before accepting any prescription, ask your doctor if the medication is really necessary… if the medication has been proved effective for your condition… and if there are less expensive alternatives that work just as well.
Few adults get all of the recommended immunizations. For example, barely two-thirds of Americans 65 years and older are vaccinated for the flu, even though 36,000 people (90% of whom are 65 and older) in the US die annually from flu-related complications. In addition to an annual flu shot, ask your doctor about the following vaccines…
For more information about vaccines, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines or call 800-232-4636.
