Answers to Frequently Asked
Health Questions by Dr. Marie Savard

Show All | Hide All Health Insurance

• Because my mother had a hip fracture at a young age, as a 58-year-old postmenopausal woman I'm concerned about my risk of developing osteoporosis. How do I find out whether my health plan covers the DEXA scan or x-ray required for early screening?
• What if my doctor recommends an x-ray or other treatment or diagnostic test and the insurance company overrules it?
• I have managed-care insurance. How does that affect my healthcare?
• I've recently switched jobs. My new employer gave me the option of three different health plans. Can you give me advice on picking the plan that's right for me?
• I have recently read about consumer- driven health plans. What are they?

Show All | Hide All Hospital Visits

• How do I find out about my daily schedule while I'm in the hospital?
• What type of information should I gather before going home from the hospital?
• My mother was recently hospitalized and while there felt as though she had no control of her circumstances. Could she have done anything to stay in control?
• My mother protested when I suggested that I'd stay with her in the hospital. Is it necessary that I be there?
• Don't visiting hours restrict how long a family member can stay in the hospital?
• What can I do to be sure I get enough sleep in the hospital? I know there will be frequent interruptions.
• My father is going to be hospitalized soon for elective surgery. What should I take to the hospital for him?
• What about having a private duty nurse for my mother while she's in the hospital? Isn't that better than having me?
• My neighbor is an elderly woman with no nearby family to take care of her. What happens if she needs to be hospitalized?
• Tell me more about having a friend or relative stay with me while I'm in the hospital.
• How can I be of help to the nursing staff, who I understand are often in short supply?
• When my mother was recently hospitalized, she was taken care of by someone called a hospitalist. What kind of doctor is this?
• How does the hospitalist benefit my family doctor? Does my doctor have a choice?
• I've heard that you should identify a point person when you're in the hospital. Who exactly is that?
• I'm concerned about the amount of pain I might have after my hip surgery. Who can I talk to about managing this pain?
• What information is included in my discharge summary, and how do I get a copy?
• My husband was recently hospitalized with a heart attack while on vacation. What information should he request to take from the hospital?
• I recently had a hysterectomy. Can I get a report describing exactly what type of surgery was done and what was removed?

Show All | Hide All Managing Your Healthcare

• How can I manage my own health care?
• What's the best way to get started in managing my own and my family's, healthcare?
• Does being in control of my health decisions actually make a difference in my health?
• What exactly is a health buddy, and how could this person help me?
• How has health care changed? Why can't I depend on my family doctor to take care of everything for me?

Show All | Hide All Managing Your Medical Records

• I see so many doctors-a family doctor, gynecologist, and heart specialist. How can I remember who ordered what test or procedure, when and where it was ordered, the results, and when I should have it repeated?
• Once I've obtained a copy of the letter summarizing my doctor or specialist visit, is there an easy way to read it?
• I never thought of keeping a copy of my medical records before. Doesn't my family doctor already have my records all in one place?
• Why are my medical records so important? Can't a doctor just examine me, check my blood, or get x-rays to find out what's wrong?
• Whenever I switch doctors, I always ask that my records be forwarded to my new doctor. Isn't that good enough?
• Keeping my own medical records makes a lot of sense, but no one's ever suggested I do this before. How did you come up with the idea?
• It sounds like a lot of trouble to collect my medical records. Can't I just wait until I really need them?
• Besides a list of my medications, dosage, and directions, what else should I carry with me in case of a medical emergency?
• What's the best way to help my doctor keep track of my allergies and drug side effects?
• What if I get a copy of my records and can't decipher the medical reports?
• I can see why future doctors would need my test results -- but why should I read them?
• I now keep a copy of all my test results and physical exam findings in my health binder, ordered chronologically. How can I use this information to spot important changes in my health?

Show All | Hide All Medical Records - Family History

• What's the best way to keep track of my family medical history? My family is large and we have lots of illnesses on both sides.
• My family members tend not to talk about their medical problems. How can I get the history I need to create my family medical tree?

Show All | Hide All Medical Records - Health Journals

• What if I can't get copies of my old medical records or the medical records don't contain much information? Should I be writing things down on my own?
• What kind of information should I write in my health journal?
• My husband has type 2 diabetes controlled with medication and diet. Can he benefit from keeping a health journal?

Show All | Hide All Medical Records - Medications

• The doctor often writes a prescription for me, but he rarely gives me additional information. What types of questions should I ask before beginning any new medication?
• When I pick up my medications from the pharmacy, should I be aware of anything special?
• What's the best way to keep track of my medications? I have trouble remembering their names -- especially for medications that I took years ago.
• I want to make a list of my medications. How far back should I go? Do I really need to include previous medications?
• My doctor often uses the Physician's Desk Reference to look up medications. Should I buy this book?

Show All | Hide All Medical Records - Specialists

• I occasionally see a chiropractor for my low back pain. Would he be interested in the medical records from my family doctor? Do I need to tell my family doctor about him?

Show All | Hide All Medical Records - Tests & Procedures

• What will my doctor say when I ask for my own medical records? I'm afraid they'll be angry with me.
• I've asked my doctor for copies of my medical records, and his secretary said I couldn't have them. Do any laws prohibit me from getting my records?
• How do I go about collecting my medical records?
• How can I avoid antagonizing my doctor when I ask for copies of my medical records?
• From now on, what's the best way to get copies of my new test results and reports?

Show All | Hide All Medical Records - Vaccinations

• I don't remember when I had my last tetanus shot. How often do I need one?
• How do I know if I should get a flu shot? If so, when should I get it?
• How can I keep track of my vaccinations so that I know I'm up-to-date?

Show All | Hide All Preparing for Your Doctor Visit

• How should I prepare if my health buddy can't come with me to an important doctor visit?
• What should I do if I'm not sure that I completely trust my doctor's treatment or advice?
• What else can I do to prepare for an office visit? How can I make sure I don't forget anything important?
• Should I bring somebody with me for my office visit?
• I want to plan ahead for my next doctor visit, but I always seem to forget to bring something at the last minute. Can you give me a simple checklist of things to remember?
• My husband usually comes along to my doctor appointments, but the nurse discourages him from entering the examination room. How should I handle this situation?
• I hate to bother my doctor, but sometimes an important question comes up. What's the best way to contact her?
• I was just referred to a urologist because of an abnormal test result. At the appointment, I was shocked to find that the specialist had no information about me from my family doctor. Should I have taken anything with me?
• I value my doctor's advice, but I want my wishes to be known. Don't I have a right to be included in the decision-making process?
• When faced with a difficult decision, I've often asked my doctor, What would you do in my situation? I get the feeling that this may not be the best way to decide.
• During the office visit, my doctor doesn't spend enough time with me to answer all my questions. What can I do about this?
• I constantly read that I should take charge of my own health. Isn't my doctor supposed to do that?
• How should I prepare for my next doctor visit?
• By the time I get to the doctor's office, I often forget when my symptoms started or the circumstances surrounding them. What's the best way to keep track of my medical concerns?
• I grew up believing that because doctors have so much training and education, they always know best. Isn't that true?

Show All | Hide All Symptoms

• When I call the doctor, I tend to minimize my symptoms even if I'm really worried, because I don't want to sound like an alarmist. What do you advise?
• Is it my imagination, or do men tend to ignore their symptoms more than women do?
• What can I do to get someone with serious complaints to the emergency room or to see a doctor?
• Won't my doctor just think I'm crying wolf if I have too many complaints? I'm afraid he'll think I'm pushy or paranoid or tell me it's all in my head.
• How can I tell if something is seriously wrong with me? How do I know whether to go straight to the emergency room or wait for a doctor visit?

Show All | Hide All Understanding Treatment Options

• Even though I have to learn about all my treatment choices, if my doctor knows me well, can't he recommend the treatment that's right for me?
• I've grown up believing that doctors know best. So do I really need to get involved in decisions about my treatment?
• I've always relied on my doctor to suggest the right treatment for my medical problems. Do I really need to research my own conditions?
• What is the best way to search for reliable and trusted health information for my family?
• Health information on the Internet is so overwhelming! How do I begin to use it to research my conditions?
• Once I've researched my condition and my medical symptoms, what's the best way to discuss this information with my doctor?
• Can you name some reliable resources to help me research my own, and my family's, health problems?