Here are guidelines to consider when talking to the health care provider or therapist you will be working with:
- Your healthcare provider is not a mind reader — Do not hide your symptoms:
People seek help when something feels wrong, or when they are concerned about something. Going to a healthcare provider can be a stressful and confusing experience. It is natural to want to show that everything is “O.K.” so that everything will be “O.K.” Healthcare providers are seen as positions of authority, and patients may unconsciously want to demonstrate working at full function or capacity. Unfortunately, masking problems or symptoms can make your healthcare provider or therapist miss important details that are vital for diagnosis and/or treatment.
- Any change in your ability to do activities that you used to be able to do, but now need assistance for, is crucial to discuss. For example, if you have trouble filling out the intake forms, but had a friend or family member fill it out for you, this is an example of hiding a symptom (even if done unintentionally). Your practitioner needs to know this type of change in order to give you the best care or referral possible.
- Don’t assume that your practitioner will find information about important symptoms or health history in your old medical records.
- Do not depend on what the therapist asks you in their line of questioning– Come prepared with concise information or questions, including any other unusual changes in your health, medications, or functioning.
- Do NOT depend on your medical chart:
It may be frustrating to repeat the information you may have repeated to countless others. It’s tempting to ask your new therapist to refer to your chart, however, be forewarned:
- Handwritten charts are just that – Handwritten. Healthcare professionals are notorious for illegible handwriting. You do not want your progress to depend on the interpretation of someone else’s handwriting or acronyms. Typed charts, becoming more common, still contain various acronyms and other statements open to interpretation.
- Most healthcare providers are under strict time constraints. Yes, your chart will be reviewed, and most likely all the important details will be picked up and absorbed. Do not depend on “most likely.” All processes are subject to interpretation and human error. If you know that there are important facts or details, voice them.
- A unique process takes place during a health interview– Not only do you have the opportunity to build rapport with your practitioner, but the discussion of your health history itself encourages a thought process in your therapist in which they can be inspired to ask you a line of questioning, perhaps one which has not been asked before.
- Quality over quantity – Sometimes “Less is more” – Bring a concise history and list of symptoms:
While omitting or leaving out symptoms and details can impede treatment progress, too many details in an unorganized manner can be just as much of an obstacle. Your therapist needs to understand what you are experiencing. Handing them a handwritten journal, or talking at length, telling stories, and jumping from topic to topic can confuse them or cause them to miss important points. Experiencing pain is indeed an emotional experience, and many healthcare providers offer a safe space for listening. At the same time, they need enough time to address questions and answers about your condition, as well as to clarify and confirm what they are hearing so as to give you the best treatment possible.
Appointments last for a specific amount of time, and it is in your best interests to use the time wisely. If you are repeatedly asked the same question, try not to get frustrated. It is likely because your provider is trying to understand or get to something specific. Try your best to answer what they are asking, or ask a question to clarify what it is they would like to understand.
If possible, come prepared with a typed list (bullet points) of your health history of any conditions, traumas, surgeries, allergies, supplements, and medications. On a separate page, or pages, have a typed list of your symptoms or concerns.
Below is a table of how to contemplate and document your symptoms. These are likely questions that you will be asked in the visit, and being familiar with the questions and answers will facilitate the process in helping your practitioner to understand your concerns.
If possible, write or address each concern separately:
| Location: | Where do you feel your symptom(s)? | |
| Onset: | When did it start?
Was there anything physically or emotionally stressful happening around that time? Anything significant changes around that time? (lifestyle, posture, trauma, etc.) |
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| Duration: | When the symptoms occur, how long do they last for? (Seconds? Minutes? Hours? Days?) | |
| Radiation: | Does the pain or sensation radiate or travel? Does it stay localized to one area? | |
| Relieving factors: | What makes the pain or symptoms feel better? Rest? Activity? Position changes? Heat? Ice? Medications? Foods? Etc. | |
| Aggravating factors: | What makes the pain or symptoms feel worse? Activity? Inactivity? Positions? Foods? Etc. | |
| Frequency: | How often do the symptoms occur? (For example: Per hour? Per day? Per week? Per month? etc.) | |
| Characteristic: | What does the pain or sensation FEEL like? Numb, burning, tingling, sharp, aching, throbbing, etc. | |
| Associated Symptoms: | Any other symptoms or changes in health, balance, or functioning? | |
| Recent changes: | Posture? New furniture? New sport or activity? Recent stress? |
Written by Caroline D. Strike ND, PT, DPT (5/22/17) © 2017
Ownership of article Caroline D. Strike, ND, PT, DPT