A Speaking Differently
Toolkit
By Colleen Witt
It is a good idea to visit
your doctor for a regular check-up once a year, even when you are feeling well.
Visiting the doctor can be a
pleasant experience but it can also be very stressful. You may be very worried
about a health concern and be very anxious about what the doctor has to tell
you. It is much better to go to the doctor and find out if anything is wrong
than to sit at home and worry. Many times if you get help soon enough a lot of
problems can be avoided.
Your doctor and his staff
may not treat a lot of persons who use augmentative and alternative communication.
Before you go, you might want to send A Caregiver's Guide to
Communication (by email
or mail) to the doctor's office so that the people there can learn how to
communicate with you in a respectful and dignified way. (If it's difficult for
you to send the guide to the office in advance, print it out and take it with
you.)
Click here for a
printable Caregiver's Guide to Communication
If you plan a little before you go, you will have an easier time. You may feel more
comfortable and confident if you make sure you are clean and tidy before going
to see the doctor. A shower or bath beforehand is not a bad idea.
Make sure
you arrange a way to get to your doctor’s office and back home. You will need
to know the Doctor’s street address before you make travel arrangements.
Will you need a caregiver/facilitator to attend the appointment with you? Be
sure to arrange this well in advance.
You will need to use the
telephone to arrange to be picked up. Be prepared to give your home address,
the time you need to be picked up and the address of where you are going.
Your communication device and
back up book or board if you have one.
A friend or caregiver as
support if you feel that would be helpful.
The person at the front desk will want to see
your health card (OHIP card) be
sure to have it ready to give to him or her. Your HEALTH card has a number on it.
The doctor uses the number on this card for his or her payment for your visit.
Without your card you will have to pay for your visit yourself. Don’t forget your
Health Card.
The doctor will want to know why
you have come to see him/her. To make the most of your visit to the doctor be
sure to have thought about all of your concerns
ahead of time.
Write down your questions and
worries or have a friend make a list with you before you go if you can.
Be sure to have the words you
will need on your communication system that will describe your concerns to your
doctor.
Click here for a special
word board
It is a good idea to ask your
doctor to write down his/her answers to your questions and concerns.
It is very hard to remember
all that a doctor may tell you in his/her office. This is especially true if
you are worried or upset.
You may want your doctor to
call someone to discuss the care you need at home.
Be prepared to give the
doctor or nurse the name and phone number of anyone you might ask him/her to
call.
The doctor may decide to
write a prescription for you. This means he/she would like you to take the
written prescription to a pharmacist.
The more prepared you are,
the better you can tell your doctor what you need help with. It is important to
prepare yourself ahead of time. That way you do not waste great social or work
time visiting the doctor more than you need to.
Going
to the doctor’s office almost always means you will be sitting and waiting.
Bring a friend along for company or a magazine to pass the time. They usually have
stuff there to read but it is usually very old and may not be your kind of
reading enjoyment.
The doctor usually has a
receptionist or nurse to greet you when you first go in. If you are lucky they
will be happy and pleasant. Sometimes they are too busy to be friendly or,
worse they are just grumpy no matter what. That is why you are called
the “patient”. It is important that the receptionist and the Doctor
understand that you can communicate your own needs. Be sure to start the
appointment off by making sure they know you are capable of communicating your
needs and concerns yourself.
The doctor may decide to write
a prescription for you. This means
he/she would like you to take the written prescription to a pharmacist.
You may wish to have a card that has
all of your personal information on it to hand to the receptionist. (That way the receptionist has a way to contact you after
you leave if he/she needs to.
Click here to see a
printable information card
back to top
To be treated as an independent adult in your
community. Being prepared to communicate your own
wants and needs from the very first contact. This increases your chance of being
viewed, from the start, as a capable, responsible adult.
To have all questions and responses directed
to you, not the facilitator or caregiver who accompanies you.
To be treated with respect and dignity
Your health card ensures that the
doctor is paid to care for you. Even though you are not paying cash for your
visit it is important to understand that the doctor is being paid well to care
for you. It is reasonable to expect to be treated with respect and dignity.
Don’t accept anything less.
Arrange for transportation there and back
well in advance
Call ahead for a caregiver to accompany you
if necessary
Prepare your communication device or board with
words and phrases you will need at the doctor’s office
Arrange to shower or bath before your visit
Write down or program your questions for the
doctor before you go
Bring your favorite magazine or book to help
with the wait
Have a way to tell the doctor who to call
with special directions and/or instructions if you are worried about
remembering them all yourself.
Have your preferred pharmacy and its location
written down or on your device/board or information card
Fill out an information card to ensure the
doctor is left with important contact information after you leave.
A Visit to the Doctor
by Colleen Witt
Ó Speaking
Differently, 2005