You could be killing yourself, but effectively communicating with you doctor can help. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 785,000 people have their first heart attack every year; another 470,000 people who have already had a heart attack, have another heart attack. Heart disease, a common cause of heart attacks, kills more Blacks than American Indians, Asians, Hispanics, or Whites, according to a 2004 report from the CDC. In 2006, the CDC reported that more than 1 of every 4 people died from heart disease. Meanwhile, fatty foods such as hog maws and chitterlings continue to contribute heart disease, commonly caused by high cholesterol and lack of exercise. Often, individuals with heart disease also have what is referred to by doctors as “thick blood,” which is also known to clot more easily than normal blood. When clots occur, heart attacks and strokes can be the result.
Exercise and medication have been proven to successfully treat heart disease. The most common anticoagulant or blood thinner is a medication called Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium). However, part of the process for obtaining a favorable outcome includes routine trips to the doctor’s office for the purpose of follow up and monitoring blood levels for Coumadin toxicity. When patients who take drugs that require routine monitoring, such as Coumadin, they should not skip their doctor’s appointments. Doing so could cause a delay in detection of other complications, such as septicemia or blood poisoning, which can also result in death. Septicemia has been identified as one of the leading causes of death (nearly 35,000 people), according to a 2007 report from the CDC. However, following your doctor’s advice, such as keeping appointments, can greatly improve health outcomes.
Another thing patients can do to improve their health outcomes is to get a clear understanding of the purpose for each doctor’s visit. Taking the time to write down questions and actually asking them during visits with their doctor is likely to help as well. Another strategy patients can use in understanding the purpose of a visit with their doctor is to bring along a family member or friend who can help document and retain the information provided by the doctor for later reference.
As an educator and consultant in the field of health information management, one of the most common explanations that I hear patients cite for failing to ask questions is fear of wasting the doctor’s time. Another common response is that follow up appointments are not important. Patients, at times, also seem to allow their concern for doctors’ lucrative salaries and billing practices to supersede the importance of keeping their appointments. Depending on the circumstances, the alternative to skipping doctor’s appointments could be a serious decline in health. Besides, doctors should not be held responsible for unfavorable outcomes when patients fail to comply with their advice, such as keeping their doctor’s appointments and taking their medications as prescribed.
As each doctor’s visit is translated in standardized medical codes, the medical record continues to be the source document that explains the status of patients’ health and the health services provided to address patients’ health issues. Registered Health Information Administrators are skilled in identifying such medical codes, and can help patients exercise their right to obtain copies of their medical records, for the patient’s own recordkeeping and informational purposes. Explanations of Benefits (EOB) from insurance companies help explain each doctor’s visit, as well. EOB documents tend to include more details such as dates of service, charges, patient financial responsibility, in addition to the name of the doctor or health care provider requesting payment for health services. This information can help patients confirm the services provided to them, identify medical expenses, as well as detect identity or billing fraud.
So, do yourself a favor. Ask questions during doctor’s visits, and be as forthcoming as possible. The more details patients obtain from their doctors, the better equipped patients can be in complying with medical treatment and advice.
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