How to Benefit from an Office Visit with us

The doctors and staff at the Barter Clinic are dedicated to your well being. Preserving and restoring your health are why we exist.

Sometimes, if we appear rushed or pressured, it is because the practice of medicine is full of unexpected and serious dilemmas, such as patients requiring emergency attention in the office or hospital, urgent phone consultations with other physicians or patients, and the tasks of obtaining numerous test results.

If you have any complaint about my behavior or that of my staff, please discuss it with me. Most important, be assured that if we ever seem preoccupied, it does not indicate impatience with you. We wish to meet your needs to the full extent of medical and human capability.

However, there are things you can do to get the most from your visits. These include:

1. Make a list of your symptoms. It is easy to remember the symptoms that hurt or limit your ability to function, but other signs that are not very bothersome (thirst, poor sleep, weight changes) can be important to the physician. Don’t be afraid of being considered a “complainer”. Report these. Let me – the doctor – decide if a symptom is important or not. Also, write them down so you won’t forget them.
   
2. Prepare to tell the physician other material that may be important. Such as:
   *What other medications, including those not requiring prescriptions (aspirin, cough medicine, etc) have you been taking? Include prescriptions from all physicians.
   *Does your occupation expose you to unusual chemicals, fumes. Or physical and/or mental stresses?
   *Does anyone in your family or workplace have symptoms like yours?
   *Have you ever had allergic reactions to antibiotics, aspirin or other medications?
   
3. What questions do you have? Do you want to know what activities you can engage in, what you can eat, why certain tests were done, what your illness may or may not be? These too, are easily forgotten in the office. Write them down beforehand.
   
4. Speak Freely: No subject or part of your body is too personal to discuss with me, your physician. This includes bowel habits, sexual concerns, personal matters related to your marriage, children, finances, destructive behaviors, such as physical abuse, alcohol and drug misuse. The physician can often provide considerable assistance as well as guide you to other resources.