By Mary Zamost, quality care coordinator at Network Health
11/19/2024
Many medical conditions can be related to other conditions or their treatment. Effective coordination of care depends upon clear and timely communication among patients, providers and facilities. This communication allows informed treatment decisions and decreases the potential for unwanted medication interactions and duplicated testing, increasing your safety and helping control cost.
Here’s how you can help.
With today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to ensure your personal doctor has the latest information about your health history. Let’s consider an example. Imagine you received blood test results and realized you forgot to tell the doctor who ordered them that you had recently begun taking ibuprofen each morning due to a muscle injury. You might wonder whether that ibuprofen could influence the test results.
Many health care providers have patient portals that can be accessed via a website or smartphone app (such as MyChart). These can be used for many purposes, including receiving test results and communicating with your doctors. While you could call the provider location to inform them of the ibuprofen, you may find it more convenient to message them through the portal.
Additionally, many providers now offer virtual appointments. If you have something more complex to update your personal doctor about, an appointment via phone or video chat can be an effective middle ground between making an in-person appointment and sending a message through the portal.
[Read more: Where Should You Go When You Need Medical Care?]
Open communication and exchange of information allow you and your personal doctor to develop a complete and more successful plan of care. Think of them as your copilot, helping you navigate the way to a healthier you.