How to Properly Prepare for and Participate In Medical Appointments

Going to see a doctor, for any health issue, can be stressful. For people who live with chronic pain, they often spend years of their lives doing the doctor dance; going from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist, bloodwork to x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, etc., and then doing it all again. Going from one doctor to another, desperately seeking a cure, a fix, a solution, a way to manage the pain, can heighten the stress and often leave one in an emotional state not conducive to working with the medical professional to find, and understand, the next step. I, personally, have experienced many an appointment where I was so stressed, so anxious, so high strung, that I practically vibrated through the appointment, missing key words and phrases, misunderstanding what was being said because I had played the appointment out in my head numerous times before even setting foot in the office, and being too emotional to share my symptoms and experiences. I could have saved myself a lot of frustration had I been a better prepared participant in this dance. The following are tips on how to cut down the stress, frustration, fear, anxiety, and confusion that can accompany a medical appointment or the doctor dance.

Before your appointment it is vital to know exactly what you want to get out of the appointment. Make a list of what you want to discuss. List what questions you have. Be as concise as possible. Prioritize your list; what is the most important issue or question? You may not have time to address everything on your list, so be sure you know what is most important. Write a brief description of your symptoms and their frequency, as well as duration and if they have changed over time. Some people keep a journal of their symptoms. As you prepare for the appointment be ready to share this personal information with the medical professional. If you have found information online, which you wish to discuss during the appointment, bring copies of the information, and include links and website names.It is a good idea to bring a notebook and writing utensil, or device you can type on, so that you can take notes on what is being said, if anything doesn’t make sense, if there is something with which you need clarification, if there are words you need to look up, and a general summary of the appointment.

It is also wise to bring someone you trust to the appointment. Having an extra set of ears during an appointment can be vital to understanding what was discussed. Oftentimes people with chronic pain are emotional during appointments which can blur their ability to retain and remember what was said. Having support, encouragement, and company, by way of a trusted friend or family member, can ensure the appointment goes smoothly, and that the information is retained. It can also be useful as there are times when medical professionals act in an unethical or unprofessional manner, and having a witness to this can be beneficial.

Checklists can be a helpful tool for medical appointments. Examples of checklists include: medications and dosages (including supplements, vitamins, herbs, oils, etc.), diagnosis, allergies, specialists visited, tests done, surgeries, hospital visits, alternative therapies, herbal remedies, and anything else that may be pertinent. Include dates where you can.

Be aware that you have the right to request copies your medical records. This can assist in creating checklists, keeping records, and understanding what, and who, you have already tried and visited. If you are seeing a specialist, request that all copies of records be sent to your general physician.

During your visit, it is best to mention paperwork (such as disability forms, disability placard applications, etc.) and prescriptions towards the beginning of the appointment as these can be time consuming.

During the medical appointment, utilize your list but be flexible with its use. Questions, not previously thought of, can naturally arise during medical appointments, so don’t rigidly stick to your prepared list if other questions seem more important. If you are given new medications, ensure that you know how to take it, the frequency, whether there are food or drink restrictions, and how long you can be expected to use the medication. Don’t leave the appointment until you understand the next steps. It is useful to repeat what you have heard from your doctor to understand if your perception meets theirs, and if any clarification is necessary.

It took me six years of the doctor dance before I was given a diagnosis that fit. In the beginning, it took me several years before I realized that I had a responsibility, as a patient, to be prepared, to understand the purpose of the appointment, and to do my best to keep emotions in check as much as possible during appointments so we could discuss what was happening and what the next steps were. Being an active participant in this process helped to create more effective, less stressful, and more productive appointments. The process was not easy. It was often emotional. And it could be, in turns, frustrating, hopeful, confusing, maddening, stressful, and tiring, but the more prepared I was, the better I felt about my role as an active participant in the doctor dance, and in my search for a way to live with my chronic pain.

The Importance of Landscaping, Greenery and Green Spaces

Landscaping is often overlooked when streetscape accessibility is being discussed, but it is an important component of an inclusive environment. In addition to adding to the attractiveness of streetscapes, landscaping can offer shade and improve air quality. Landscaping, such as trees bordering a sidewalk, can provide directional cues to people with visual impairments, as well as act as a safety measure, creating a buffer between pedestrians and automobiles. Grassy areas are essential for people who rely on guide, service, and/or therapy dogs, as the dogs require areas to relieve themselves.

Accessible Streetscape

There are challenges when selecting the appropriate landscaping. The landscaper must ensure that the roots will not become a tripping hazard or affect the stability of the surface. They must consider the growth of the branches or bushes and ensure they don’t interfere with the path of travel. It is important for landscapers to avoid plants or trees with thorns as they can flatten the tires of mobility aids.

Landscaping has also been shown, in multiple studies, to be useful as a tool for people with certain medical issues; two examples are Attention Deficit Disorder and dementia. It has been shown that spending time each day near greenery benefits children with ADD. And, for some, symptoms of ADD can be reduced within green spaces. Likewise, green spaces have been shown to be of benefit for people with dementia. Studies have shown that exposure to environments with greenery can reduce negative and violent behaviour in patients with dementia in long term care facilities. Many long term care facilities are looking to landscaping to help reduce agitation, lessen fear, and increase positive feelings.

In addition to benefiting patients, landscaping has been proven to be of benefit to staff within medical settings; increasing patience, lessening frustration, and improving emotional and mental health. Spending time in green spaces can help to lower heart rates and blood pressure. Studies have shown that landscaping can help with burnout rates for staff as well as for caregivers. Having available landscaping and/or green spaces in medical settings offers a place to relieve stress in a very emotionally intense environment.

Having greenery, green spaces and/or landscaping near schools has been shown to help alleviate mental stress and fatigue. It has been shown to act as a positive distraction, benefitting mental, physical, and emotional health.

As more studies demonstrate the benefits of landscaping, facility designers are taking green spaces more seriously. They are recognizing that landscaping has a proven benefit to built environments, as well as to those who use the facilities.

Relaxing Green Space

Landscaping has an obvious aesthetic appeal, but less obvious is the effect it has on the accessibility of a space. Green spaces are part of creating inclusive communities. Greenery can be beneficial to the physical accessibility of a space as well as to how people respond emotionally and mentally to that space. Human well being is intimately connected with the environment that surrounds us. Ensuring we don’t lose sight of green spaces in urban settings is vital to our health, comfort, happiness and overall quality of life.

Interacting with a Person Who Uses a Wheelchair

For many people interacting with someone who has a disability can be a stressful and daunting prospect, especially if they have had little or no previous experience. While it is important to utilize the following steps it is also vital that you keep in mind that you are not alone in feeling hesitant during these interactions, so be patient with yourself, give yourself room to learn and to be led, and your interaction will be a success.

The first step is to position yourself directly in front of the person who uses a wheelchair. Don’t stand to the side, as some people in wheelchairs are unable to twist their bodies. Others are able to turn their bodies but doing so causes pain, which can negatively affect their ability to communicate and interact. If there is a seat handy you can sit but there is no need to crouch.

Greet the person as you usually greet people. If you are comfortable doing so shake hands. Some may not have full arms or hands or they may have a prosthetic. If you are comfortable shaking what they have than do so, but don’t do anything you are not comfortable doing. It is also your own choice as to whether or not you wish to lighten your grip. If you are unsure about shaking a person’s hand ask first.

Respect their personal space. Typically personal space is no less than 18 inches (46cm); an arm’s length is an easy way to measure personal space. Mobility aids are an extension of a person’s personal space and one should never touch a mobility aid without first asking for and then receiving permission. Do not lean on a person’s wheelchair or put your hand on any part of the wheelchair or try to move it without first asking for and then receiving permission. People in manual chairs are often moved without people asking for their permission which robs the person of their independence, and it is a violation of their personal space.

Speak in your normal voice directly to the person with whom you are conversing. If there is someone accompanying the person with the wheelchair, and they are a part of the conversation, communicate with them but do not direct your attention or conversation solely to that person. And do not ask that person questions regarding the person with the wheelchair. Assume the person with the wheelchair can speak for themselves unless otherwise told.

If you are unsure about proper terminology ask them for guidance. The same rule applies for assistance. If you are unsure whether they need assistance, ask them.They will best know what they need, and if, or how, you can help.
People with disabilities are often called “courageous”, “inspirational”, “brave”, and/or “special” but steer away from these words. You may be amazed at how people with disabilities have adjusted but using a wheelchair is their reality and most people with disabilities will tell you that they have adjusted to the barriers life has thrown their way, much like you having adjusted to barriers within your own life.

Remember that in all interactions intention rules. There are those who use all the right words and mean it in all the wrong ways, and there are those who say all the wrong words and mean it in all the right ways. It is fairly easy to recognize when people have good intentions, and most people with disabilities understand that people can be nervous or unsure about how to interact so they tend to go by the overall intention of the conversation or interaction. If your intention is good the interaction should be a success.