What's up doc? Take charge of your health care

The job of a modern patient includes not only decision-making but often the coordinating of doctors, medical records and procedures — as well as negotiating with insurance companies. Dr. Pamela Gallin, a surgeon at New York-Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia and author of “How to Survive Your Doctor's Care,” offers tips on how you can take control of your medical care.

Become your own medical quarterback
In the “olden days,” we used to have Dr. Marcus Welby make all our medical decisions for us. These days, medical care is fragmented and doctors have less time for people. Thus, you have to take charge of your own medical team and find a doctor that will help make decisions with you.

Start by making sure your general practitioner, internist or pediatrician are affiliated with the finest medical center in your area. Consider word of mouth recommendations to make sure they are doctors who can help make decisions with you.

Make the most of your doctor's visit
Doctors these days feel pressed. They don't have a lot of time to spend with patients. As a result, you need to be focused on your visit before you see your doctor. First, make a concise list of what is bothering you. Be sure to keep a calendar of frequency and timing of what is bothering you.

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After the diagnosis or course of action determined by your doctor, you might feel unnerved. Remember to ask follow-up questions at the end of the discussion.

Make sure you have a plan for following up with your doctor after the visit. Be sure to ask the doctor how he prefers to be contacted after the visit. Does he have a telephone hour? Should you call a nurse or administrator to make a telephone appointment? Does he prefer e-mail?

Take control of your medical records
By law, it is your legal right to get copies of your medical records. Make sure to ask for a personal copy of your blood tests and x-rays. If you are going on to other doctors, make sure to ask for a letter of consultation. This is what your doctor thinks is the problem and recommended treatment. If you are changing doctors, make sure you get a copy of all medical records. If you don't want to tell your doctor you are changing physicians, just say you want the copies for your own records.

Take control of emergencies before they happen
Make sure you have a “medical passport” on you before you leave your house or go on a trip. This is a letter or card listing the medications and doses you are on (including homeopathic medicines). It should include a short list of diagnosis or summary of diseases.

If you are traveling and have a medical problem, make sure to know in advance what doctor you would go to if you have problems. Also, you might want to know what hospital you would pick if you had to go to the emergency room.

You should ask your doctor what doctor or hospital he would recommend. Or, you could check the Joint Commission American Hospital ratings. Just like you have a Zagat book to tell you what restaurants you should go to, you should spend the time researching what hospital you should go to.