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Try to make sure you go for your consultation as a couple. The presence of your spouse can help reduce your anxiety, give you courage to ask the relevant questions, and also ensure that you have someone to interpret the doctor's statements. As mentioned earlier, do not hesitate to ask questions (and more questions); never mind how many other patients are waiting outside the doctor's clinic, or how stupid the questions may seem to you. When you are with the doctor, his only focus of interest should be you, and it's his job to provide answers. Remember, the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask. Be courteous but assertive while asking questions and obtaining information, but don't turn aggressive or antagonistic. Listen carefully to what your doctor says, and in case of doubt and ambiguity, do not leave till these have been dispelled. Remember, the word doctor is derived from the Latin root docere, which means 'to teach'. Therefore, look for a doctor who is willing to share his knowledge with you!
The most common complaint patients have is that they are made to wait for ages before the doctor sees them! It is only because patients put up with such a situation that doctors get away with this unpardonable behavior. After all, no doctor would remain very busy if all his patients decide to refuse to wait for him! Some patients seem to believe that the longer they have to wait outside the doctor's clinic, the better he must be, since he has so many patients clamoring for his attention. This is simply not true! No matter how hard-pressed a doctor may be, he can always space out his appointments, so that you never have to wait for more than an hour to see him.
In order to ensure that you don't lose your patience while waiting in the clinic, it would be a prudent idea to carry a paperback novel or a Walkman. Nowadays, many doctors keep patient educational leaflets and brochures in their clinics. You could read them in order to use your time constructively! Some clinics are also 'blessed' with TV sets, so that patients do not get totally fed up.
While an occasional delay is unavoidable (since a medical emergency could require your doctor's immediate attention), if you are made to wait for an eternity each time, something is seriously wrong with the doctor's attitude towards patients. For any inordinate delay, the clinic staff should be courteous enough to provide an explanation, and, if needed, an alternative appointment. As an example of efficient patient management, if a doctor at the famous Mayo Clinic in the USA makes you wait for more than 30 minutes without an explanation, you can complain to the hospital manager who will rectify matters.
Make sure you carry photocopies of all your medical records and tests. You can give them to the doctor for his files, if needed. You should have a clear understanding of your medical records so that you can explain the details to another doctor if needed.
Try to do your best to become an ideal patient, and learn to take an active interest in your medical care - it's a simple fact of life that infertile patients who know how to make the most of their doctor get better medical care!
© Dr. Aniruddha Malpani and Dr. Anjali Malpani www.drmalpani.com
Credits: How to Have a Baby: Overcoming Infertility
