Oh. I get it now.
A 15 minute appointment is not actually 15 minutes with the physician.
No no.
That is total time with medical professionals. A typical appointment with a specialist is 15 minutes. This is a combined total. So, take the nurse's time to check in the patient and add the time with physician and that equals no more than 15 minutes.
To make use of the time with the physician, I always take the time to:
- Have my blood drawn a week before the appointment so that it is back from the lab in time
- Consider the medications
- Detail the side effects of the medicines
- Write out any questions
- List any new issues
Typically, this takes the form of a 4x6" notecard with bullet points. It's not a CANVA presentation, but it serves the purpose.
During the last visit with the rheumatologist, I held my usual notecard and began referring to it as I had in every previous visit, almost without exception.
When the doctor asked to see it, he said, "I love it. You always take the time to prepare 'n' stuff!"
Which made me wonder if I am the only one who prepares in this way or in any way at all?
Do patients really just make an appointment and not think about their treatment during their daily lives until the next appointment rolls around on the calendar?
Certainly the physician has prepared at least academically for this appointment. The doctor has probably studied for at least 8 years of medical school, but the on-the-job training that is his/her/their practice every day of the week. The physician has experience with people, medications, delivery systems, insurance, research, standards, norms, and much more. The physician has come as prepared as possible to this meeting/appointment that will last 15 total minutes.
The patient, on the other hand, has lived experiences since the last appointment. S/he/they have lived with the decisions from the last appointment, the costs, the side effects, the restrictions, the other appointments and more. The patient has experienced the illness and the "cures" for 24 hours each day since the last meeting. The patient comes with relevant lived experiences to this appointment/meeting that will last a grand total of 15 minutes.
If the nurse takes 6 minutes to complete check-in including weight, height, blood pressure, medication checks, and general pleasantries, then nine minutes remain.
Here is how it typically plays out:
-Doctor arrives and exchanges his/her/their own pleasantries.
8.5 minutes remain.
-Doctor checks the latest blood results pointing out which are low, which are high, what has changed from last time. General conversation about the blood work.
4 minutes left.
-Doctor conducts physical examination. General conversation about pain levels and fatigue. 1 minute left.
Doctor makes medication recommendation. Declares when to come back.
30 seconds to go.
General niceties follow.
It's a good thing I always prepare 'n' stuff.
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