A visit to any doctor’s office may seem a bit overwhelming, especially when there is a lot of information to exchange.
At Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists, our team of doctors and audiologists works with you and uses the latest advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technology to provide you with the best outcomes.
Each patient’s care is tended to by clinician-led care teams, who provide for all the patient’s health care needs and coordinate treatments across the health care system.
Here are a few recommendations to help you make the most of your visit:
- Write down your questions prior to the appointment. This will help to make sure you address all your concerns with your doctor.
- Bring an updated list of all your medications. The list should include the names of the medications, the dose, the directions, your reason for taking the medications and name of the physician who prescribed them.
Please also list non-prescription medications including herbal remedies. If possible, indicate how long you have been taking each medication.
- Write down any symptoms you may have. “My ear hurts” is very general. Please try to be as specific as possible. Is the pain to the right or left ear? Describe the type of pain: sharp or dull, constant or intermittent. We want to know how this pain is affecting your daily routine.
Are there situations or activities that cause or perpetuate the pain? How long have you been experiencing the pain? Finally, have you done anything to alleviate the pain, e.g., taking medication(s)? - Bring an objective family member or friend to your appointment. They can help you recall the answers to your questions and any other information the physician may provide.
- Be prepared to remove some clothing. If you’re having a problem with your neck, for instance, having an easy to remove garment allows the physician more time to examine you and discuss your problem.
Remember to wear comfortable clothes. A visit to your physician may sometimes cause a bit of anxiety, so the more relaxed you are the more you can get from the appointment. - Office visits tend to run anywhere from 15- 30 minutes, so in order to ensure all your concerns are addressed, we want to make the best use of that time.
If you have multiple major issues, let us know when you call to make your appointment. You may want to request an extended visit, or you may need to make two appointments.
