BRASS newsletter 2006 - BRASS: Brigham and Women's Hospital Rheumatoid Arthritis Sequential Study

Tips on Making the Most of Your Clinic Appointment

by Rheumatologist Kerri Batra, MD

We understand that a visit to see one of us at the Arthritis Clinic can be stressful. After rearranging your schedule, navigating Boston traffic and finally arriving at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital, you can barely remember why you’re here. With so much on your mind, how can you get the most out of your appointment?

Here are a few recommendations. All of them involve being an active participant in your care. We strongly encourage you to take ownership of both your appointment time and your illness. Studies have shown that involvement with your own care can actually lead to a decrease in disease activity. While we will always provide you with guidance and information, you are the ultimate driver of your own health care.

Prepare for your visit:
1. Bring your questions: Between appointments, write down your concerns and questions. Starting with these questions will allow you to take control of the appointment and direct the discussion where it will most help you.
2. Make a medication list: Write down your medications, including dosages. If you don’t have time, put all of your medications in a bag and bring them with you. This will save us a lot of time that we can then use to answer all of your questions!
3. Keep a notebook of symptoms: If you’re feeling well at the time of your appointment, you may forget what was bothering you so much last week. Keep a record of symptoms and when you have them.

Between appointments, write down your concerns and questions. Starting with these questions will allow you to take control of the appointment and direct the discussion where it will most help you.

Tell us what really worries you (but don’t wait until you have one foot out the door): Do you have a friend or family member who ended up very sick with RA? Are you afraid that your medication will cause cancer? A lot of people have these nagging concerns, but don’t tell us because they think they are irrelevant or irrational. If something bothers you, it is neither irrelevant nor irrational. If you are worried about something, we want to know. But be sure to tell us at the beginning of your appointment so we have enough time to fully address your concerns. ...cont’d on page 8

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	Tips on Making the Most of Your Clinic Appointment by Rheumatologist Kerri Batra, MD We understand that a visit to see one of us at the Arthritis Clinic can be stressful. After rearranging your schedule, navigating Boston traffic and finally arriving at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital, you can barely remember why you’re here. With so much on your mind, how can you get the most out of your appointment? Here are a few recommendations. All of them involve being an active participant in your care. We strongly encourage you to take ownership of both your appointment time and your illness. Studies have shown that involvement with your own care can actually lead to a decrease in disease activity. While we will always provide you with guidance and information, you are the ultimate driver of your own health care. Prepare for your visit: Bring your questions: Between appointments, write down your concerns and questions. Starting with these questions will allow you to take control of the appointment and direct the discussion where it will most help you. Make a medication list: Write down your medications, including dosages. If you don’t have time, put all of your medications in a bag and bring them with you. This will save us a lot of time that we can then use to answer all of your questions! Keep a notebook of symptoms: If you’re feeling well at the time of your appointment, you may forget what was bothering you so much last week. Keep a record of symptoms and when you have them. Between appointments, write down your concerns and questions. Starting with these questions will allow you to take control of the appointment and direct the discussion where it will most help you. Tell us what really worries you (but don’t wait until you have one foot out the door): Do you have a friend or family member who ended up very sick with RA? Are you afraid that your medication will cause cancer? A lot of people have these nagging concerns, but don’t tell us because they think they are irrelevant or irrational. If something bothers you, it is neither irrelevant nor irrational. If you are worried about something, we want to know. But be sure to tell us at the beginning of your appointment so we have enough time to fully address your concerns. ...cont’d on page 8 page 6

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