If you’ve been told that you should seek out a specialist for your spine or neurological condition, you’re probably a little confused and maybe even a bit worried about the process. Although finding a specialist in your area may seem daunting, they are some of the brightest minds in the field and can help find solutions to your pain, so you should be excited about finding answers to your health issues.
However, many people don’t know how to begin the process, and even when they settle on a specific specialist, they may not know how to make the most out of their first consultation. Below, we share some tips for ensuring your first visit with your neurospecialist is a success.
Tips For Your First Consultation
Here are some tips to ensure your first meeting with a specialist for your spine or brain condition is successful.
Arrive Early – For your first consultation, it’s a good idea to show up at least 15 minutes before your appointment is scheduled. Even if your primary care provider faxed over your information, odds are you’re going to have some paperwork to fill out. Getting there a little early ensures everything is complete by the time the clinic is ready for you, which can help keep everyone on schedule.
Bring The Right Information – You’ll obviously want to have your insurance card handy, but some people also like to bring any other information about their condition that they feel is relevant. For example, they may bring documents that their employer needs the doctor to fill out. Others find it helpful to bring in their pain journal so they can best describe their symptoms to their specialist.
Be Honest – We understand that you might be hesitant to open up to a new doctor about your symptoms or condition, but the more you share, the better we can assess the situation and provide you with the best care possible. Don’t lie about your daily habits or tell half-truths about your symptoms. We’re not there to judge, we’re there to help find a solution to your pain, and we can only do that if you are completely honest with our care team.
Ask Questions – Although your doctor is probably going to do the majority of the talking, it’s important that your consultation with the specialist is two-way in nature. Ask questions about your condition, what you should be doing, and what the doctor would recommend if they or a family member were dealing with the condition. Asking questions can help put your mind at ease and ensure you are doing everything in your power to treat the condition.
Leave With A Plan – We want you to walk out of our clinic with a clear plan in place for your next steps in treatment. Whether that involves a conservative care plan, setting up appointments with a physical therapist or scheduling surgery, you should walk out of the clinic with a clear plan in place for your care. If you are confused by anything or unsure what to do next, clear up any misconceptions with the doctor or your care team before you leave the facility.
If you follow these tips, we’re sure that you’ll have a great first appointment with your neurospecialist. To set up a consultation with Dr. Chang’s office, click here.