What are tips for scheduling doctors' appointments if I have arthritis?

Schedule an appointment at a time of day when your doctor is less busy and/or at an optimal time for your energy level. When you have arthritis, you may want to request the first appointment after lunch. Although emergencies happen to alter your doctor’s schedule, it is less likely that she will be backed up at this time, and you will get in and out more quickly.

If the doctor has no openings, and you feel you need to see your doctor soon, ask the receptionist if there is a list of patients who might be able to come in on short notice in the event of a cancellation; if so, ask to be put on the list. If you have not heard from the receptionist within a few days, call back and ask about any cancellations. Make appointments with new specialists through your doctor.

When the appointment request comes from another doctor, you will often get in to see the specialist sooner. Give yourself enough lead time for appointments. If you are seeing a specialist with whom it takes weeks or months to schedule an appointment, put a reminder in your calendar to call and schedule an appointment two or three months before you need to see your doctor again.

Discuss how much time you will have to spend with the doctor when you make your appointment. Depending on the reason for your doctor’s visit, you may be scheduled for as little as five minutes or as much as half an hour. If you feel you will need more time, ask for it.

If you need to schedule appointments on a regular basis (such as monthly monitoring), make your next appointment before you leave the doctor’s office. It may be helpful to schedule frequent appointments, such as weekly treatments, up to four weeks in advance. Schedule annual appointments around annual events such as birthdays, anniversaries or the start of the year.

This not only helps you to remember your appointment, it may also give you an opportunity to schedule at a time that is less busy for both you and your doctor. Bring a friend or family member along on your appointment. Between the two of you, you will remember more of what the doctor has to say about your condition and treatment options.

Take notes or tape-record your visit so that you can review your doctor’s explanations.

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