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What To Do In The Waiting Room

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Rather than just "waiting" in a doctor's waiting room, consider the following tips:

  • If you haven't kept a list of symptoms since your last visit, now is a good time to think about them.  The doctor will want to know.   
    • Write down when  your symptoms began, how long they occurred, how often they occurred, what makes them worse, what makes them better. 
    • If you used our tool to help keep track of symptoms, review the print out. (For information about the symptoms tracking tool, Click here.)
  • If you haven't compiled your questions, write a list of your questions and concerns.(If you can access our prioritizer to make notes, you can reorder your list to your priority with the click of a button.)
  • If you don't have a list of your medications with you, consider listing all medications you are currently taking. Include in the list drugs you stopped taking since your last visit with this doctor. 
  • If you took any tests since your last visit with this doctor, ask the staff to check on whether your test results are in your file. If not, staff can try to call and have the results faxed or e mailed before your meeting.
  • If you have a patient advocate with you, consider reminding the person of what role each of you will take during the meeting. 
  • Check that the office has your correct, up-to-date insurance and personal information.

If you have extra time, consider:

  • Making friends with office staff who look as they have time to interact. To learn how, click here.
  • Meditating 
  • Practising how to keep positive thoughts.
  • Thinking about what steps you can take to help improve your health, such as to eat nutritiously and/or exercise or considering a type of complementary treatments that may fit for you. Be sure to clear all new activities with your doctor before starting.
  • Getting some work done
  • Escapting the enviornment by reading a good book or magazine or engagingin fun activities via your smart phone or mobile device.

NOTE: Do not assume that whatever is happening to the sickest people in the room is what will happen to you.  Even if that person has the exact same condition as you, no two people are alike. What happens to him or her is not likely to be a predictor about what will happen to you.

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