If your car starts wheezing, you take it to an auto shop. Your mechanic will diagnose the problem, and spend some time tinkering, tightening, and replacing. You might need to authorize those annoying unexpected charges, but usually the diagnosis and repairs hum right along without you — after all, the mechanic is the expert.

If your body starts wheezing, you take it to your health care provider. But even the best doctor is not going to provide an appropriate diagnosis without your help because you’re the expert when it comes to your body. Being actively involved in diagnosis is key to pinpointing the source of your allergic reaction.

Patients report better results from treatment when they and their health care providers communicate well with each other, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. You and your doctor are partners with the shared goal of taking control of your allergies. The rules for partners in this instance are quite different from the rules for auto mechanics. The following information from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality will help you and your doctor work together as a team.

1. Give information. Don’t wait to be asked!

• You know important things about your symptoms and your health history. Tell your doctor whatever you think he or she needs to know. It’s important to reveal personal information, even if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Your good health depends on it.
• Bring a current health history with you (and keep it up to date). Always bring along any over-the-counter or prescription medications or vitamin supplements you’re taking. Also explain to your doctor when and how often you take them.
• Tell your doctor about any complementary or alternative treatments you’re using or thinking about trying (like herbal treatment, homeopathy, massage therapy, or acupuncture).

2. Get information.

• Ask questions. Otherwise, your doctor may assume you understand everything perfectly.
• Write down questions and concerns before your visit. List the most important ones first to make sure they are asked and answered.
• Take notes. Use a tape recorder if you need to.
• Let your doctor know if you need more time for explanations. You should be able to speak to a nurse or physician’s assistant, or ask for a specific time to call back when more time will be available.
• Ask for a live demonstration whenever you are learning how to use an unfamiliar device or medication, like an inhaler or epinephrine injector.

3. Take information home.

• Ask for written instructions.
• Request educational brochures, or audio and videotapes. If they aren’t available in your health care provider’s office, ask where you can get some.

4. Follow up.

• If you have any further questions, call your health care provider.
• If your symptoms get worse, or if you have problems with your medication, call your doctor.
• If you need to have additional tests, make appointments at the lab or other offices to get them done.
• If you had tests and haven’t heard back, call the office to find out when results will be in.
• If your doctor says you should see a specialist, ask him or her for a referral, check your insurance coverage, and make an appointment.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 at 6:29 am and is filed under Allergies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.