"Find Your Passion and Go For It."
"Just because you have PD doesn’t mean it is the end of the world... I have never looked back."
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HealthCare Support Team
Talking to your doctor(s) and other medical professionals
Many people have difficulty talking to their doctors. Some people are afraid to ask questions, while others hesitate to bring up specific topics or concerns. The following information provides a few suggestions for getting the most from your medical appointments."I know my doctor has a busy schedule and can only spend a limited amount of time with me. How do I get him/her to pay attention to what I am saying without feeling rushed?"
Preparing for the Appointment
You can help make your appointment a more positive experience by being prepared.- Let the receptionist at the doctor's office know when you have a number of topics (perhaps you can be scheduled for an extended visit)
- Keep a notebook for questions and topics you would like to discuss during the appointment. These may include:
- Questions about medication - including changes and/or side-effects
- Telling the doctor how you have been feeling, particularly any changes
- Questions regarding nutrition
- Referrals
During the Appointment
Bring your notebook to write down the responses to those questions plus:
- Information about any medication changes and non-drug treatments
- Future appointments that you have scheduled or need to schedule
- Any other issues that you wish to discuss
- Bring a friend or family member to write down the responses to the questions if necessary
Adapted from the RLS Webinar, "Managing Your Life in Motion" presentation, October 5, 2007. Dr. John Winkelman Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School. The full presentation is available for downloading at www.wemove.org
Questions for the Doctor
A mistake we often make when visiting the doctor is not asking enough questions. In the past, the doctor was viewed as a source of knowledge that one should not question. Those days are long gone but we can still find it difficult to ask questions. Plan them ahead of time and write them down.Write down your questions in order of importance, in case there isn't enough time in one appointment to discuss all of your concerns. The following is a detailed list of questions to use as a guide when preparing your own list.
Your Diagnosis
- What is wrong? How do you know?
- What caused this problem?
Tests and Procedures
- Must I have tests?
- What tests do I need and why?
- What do the tests involve?
- How do I prepare for the tests?
- When will I know the test results?
- Will I have to take the tests again?
Treatment
- What are my treatment choices?
- What are the benefits and risks of each treatment?
- What are the side effects?
- How good is each treatment?
- Which treatment is most common for my condition?
- What do I do if treatment fails?
Medications
- What kind of medication(s) must I take? For how long?
- What does the drug do? Will there be any side effects?
- What should I do if I have side effects?
- Can I take a generic version of the drug?
- Will the medicine interact with any I am already taking?
- Should I avoid any kind of food or activity while taking this medicine?
Follow-Up
- Do I need to see a specialist?
- Should I get a second opinion?
- Do I need a follow-up visit?
Speak Up
- Don't be put off by big words or a doctor's impatient manner.
- If you don't understand what the doctor is telling you, ask him or her to explain it again, perhaps using different words, drawing or showing you a picture.
- Don't leave the office without understanding everything the doctor told you!
Your Healthcare Team: Who's on it?
An asset to your management strategy is to assemble a team of professionals who can provide you with the information and resources you may need along the way. Here is a description of what each team member can do for you.- Family Doctor/G.P. – The person you will see most over the years….he/she looks after your general health, conducts annual physical examinations and keeps all your medical records… initially your GP may not know a lot about Parkinson disease so, as you learn, he/she may also learn more about the management of this condition.
- Neurologist – a specialist who can either make or confirm the Parkinson disease diagnosis, find the right balance of treatment and make regular adjustments to your Parkinson disease medication to ensure it’s working effectively….visit him/her at agreed upon intervals every year…you might want to see a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders. You can access the Movement Disorder Clinic at the Foothills Health Centre in Calgary and the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton with a referral from your family physician.
- Parkinson Nurse Specialist – In Calgary, the movement disorder neurologists also have clinic nurses who have specialized knowledge of PD. The nurses can provide information about coping with day-to-day challenges of Parkinson disease and advice on how to adjust to changes in medication …he/she is a vital link to other members of your health care team and can recommend and direct you to the help you need – when you need it.
- Pharmacist – an important part of your team…it is advisable to use the same pharmacy outlet all the time, they will maintain a record of all your medications…your pharmacist can ensure over-the-counter medication and vitamin supplements do not adversely interact with your prescription drugs…
- Psychiatrist – an expert in mental health problems like depression and anxiety, common conditions for people with Parkinson disease.
- Physiotherapist – can assess problems you’re having with mobility, balance and posture and recommend exercise or exercise programs in your community, suited to your abilities….he/she can also offer techniques on how to move safely, especially around the house. The Parkinson Alberta Society trains physical therapists who can be accessed without referral. She/he can help you acquire aids to daily living.
- Occupational therapist – helps you solve mobility problems you might be facing at work, during leisure activities or with personal care and grooming. He/she can suggest equipment to buy (e.g. walker) or changes you can make to your home (e.g. bath bars and ramps)…this advice could avoid costly mistakes and includes a look at subsidized equipment and tax deductible purchases.
- Speech Language Pathologist – finds ways to help improve your voice projection or, with more advanced Parkinson disease, to cope with swallowing problems and saliva control.
- Social Worker/Psychologist – gives advice on emotional, financial and family concerns related to your Parkinson disease…he/she provides individual or family counseling about how to adjust to the changes Parkinson disease is making in your life…a social worker knows how to access available community resources and find the right financial assistance program for you. The Parkinson Alberta Society has staff that can provide you with information, suggestions, and help with numerous aspects of managing Parkinson disease.
- Dietician – advises on how to plan a healthy diet and maintain the right weight…he/she will show you how to include enough fibre and liquid in your menu planning…you can also get energy saving tips on meal preparation…advice is also available on how food and your medication may interact.
- Massage Therapist – act on and manipulating the patient's body with pressure (structured, unstructured, stationary, and/or moving), tension, or motion. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, and/or organs of the gastrointestinal system.