Award Winning Author Martine Erhenclou , patient advocate and speaker joined our SecureACure4MS Blogtalk Radio show on Friday October 5th. Her first book the critically acclaimed Critical Conditions~The Essential Hospital Guide To Get Your Loved One Out Alive, received 15 awards. Martine empowers patients to become pro active and well informed participants in their own healthcare. Upon further research Martine wrote another highly acclaimed book which we will be discussing this evening the title of this book is The Take Charge Patient.
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The Doctor-Patient relationship is very important for you and your health. Here is what Martine suggests we do when seeking a doctor:
Find a doctor:
• who you like;
• who you can talk to and who listens to you;
• who you can collaborate with in a partnership;
• who respects you;
• who will reach out to other physicians for more information, putting
ego aside
• who returns phone calls;
• who is invested in your health and well-being.
Be mindful that our Doctors are not House - they are not mind readers, we need to communicate with them about what is going on so they can effectively help us. With holding information is a disservice to you, your doctor and your health.
When you see a doctor, at the end of your visit, get your medical records for that visit!!!! You have a right to them. Get write up of visit, any test results, copies of MRI's or other scans.
Tips from Martine to prepare for a successful doctor’s appointment:
1. Prepare a list of questions for your doctor. What do you want addressed in the office visit?
2. Create a brief health summary that includes:
-your top three medical concerns
-your list of current medications and their dosages, over the counter medications, herbs and supplements
-any symptoms you’ve been having, when they occur, what makes them worse or better (for example: exercise or eating) and what you have tried for symptom relief.
-List any medical professionals you’ve seen for your current condition or for other conditions that pertain to your visit.
3. Prior to your appointment, obtain copies of any test results and reports that were done by other physicians. Bring these copies with you. Never rely on a doctor’s office to send them as medical offices are very busy and your request can be easily overlooked.
4. If you are seeing this doctor for the first time, create a brief health history including major medical events such as surgeries, serious illnesses, medical conditions and more.
Please know it is OK and encouraged that you get a 2nd opinion's or more. We know our bodies and know when something isn't right. Don't just settle if in your gut and with your research you find more information. Talk to your doctors about what you find.
Being a Take-Charge Patient means you are knowledgeable about your condition. RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!!!!!
Please don't do what a lot of people do (including myself at one time) and just start typing your symptoms into Google:
1 - you are going SCARE yourself
2. - you are more than likely not get the information you need
3 - you wont receive credible information
Research at sites that end in .edu, .org. gov
Go to the Disease's specific websites, such as National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nmss.org), Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (http://www.msaa.com) Nancy Davis Foundation (http://www.erasems.org)
Make sure your Sources of information are credible - for your sanity and health.
There are too many times that we hear about Medical Errors in health care. What can we do to help prevent them?
One of the most common medical errors is in prescription medicine. Its important that EVERY doctor or medical professional you are seeing knows what drugs you are on to avoid double dosing or prescribing something that will cause a bad reaction due to other medication you are on.
when you receive your prescription for the pharmacy - verify you have the CORRECT medication. Sadly, its been know that the wrong medication is filled or you are handed someone else's prescription.
Martine recommends:
Every patient should carry a Medical ID card. This will list information that is needed in case you are not able to speak and it allows others to see medication and illnesses you have been diagnosed with. As well as Emergency information. Below is a snippet of the card
Martine has provided to everyone on her website resource to assist us such as:
Sample Questions to Ask Your Doctor and Yourself
This is such a small portion of what Martine's provides. This is a resource we strongly encourage EVERY person to pick up. You can get more information at www.thetakechargepatient.com
BE A TAKE-CHARGE patient
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