5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Doctor Appointment

Athletes get injured. A lot. Usually not all at the same time, but it does happen. The last eight months have been a bit trying for me but I’ve luckily reconnected with one of my childhood BFFs who, as it turns out, is an amazing sports medicine physician. And it keeps getting better, as now physicians can get continuing education credits for free to grow in their field, so my friend has managed to continue learning even after she qualified for the job. I know that when I go to her with an injury, I’m in safe hands.

A busy mom of two, Carly Day is a Sports Medicine physician for the Cleveland Clinic. But her love and interest in sports began long before she became a doctor. She’s been an active, athletically inclined individual for as long as I’ve known her. Since kindergarten, in fact. And let’s face it, that’s a long time. Dr. Day was the student athletic trainer in high school and competed in five sports — the boys soccer team, field hockey, cross country, basketball, and track. To say that she’s been immersed in her field of work and study well before she became a professional would be a complete understatement.

Today Dr. Day is my guest, and is sharing some things to do and expect when you make an appointment with your doctor, and how to make the most of your appointment. And she’ll be back for future posts, too. After you’ve finished reading, check out how to get involved below if you’ve got questions for the doc!

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5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Doctor Appointment

by Carly Day, MD

1. Show up on time. Being “on time” means be super duper early. Build in time for traffic and getting lost and anything else that might happen.

2. Be a patient patient! If I’m late it’s usually because someone came in and needed a couple extra minutes of my time. I often get to know my patients over time and if my 70 year old patient with knee arthritis lost his wife the week before, I’m going to stop and ask him to tell me how they met or what his favorite memory was of her. (And I promise to give you those few extra minutes when you need them as well).

3. What’s the issue bringing you in? Prior to your visit, take a little time to think about the issue bringing you in. Try to figure out how long it’s been going on. Did anything happen around the time the pain started? New shoes? Ramped up your mileage? Also, if your primary care doctor prescribed a medication for you to treat this problem, write down the name of the medication and dosage.

4. Tell me your goals. Are you running to relieve stress? Training for a half marathon? Signed up for a triathlon? If you share your goals with me it will help me give you a plan that will hopefully allow you to stay active without worsening your symptoms or causing long term harm.

5. Take care of your body. Nutrition and sleep are two aspects of your health that you can often work on without a physician. There is mounting evidence on the importance of sleep for hormone regulation in the body. Prioritize your own health including family, food, and sleep to make you a happier person.

Bonus tip: If you’re active, be proud of yourself and keep up the good work. I’m a busy mom just like a lot of you and when we stay fit we are examples to our children of how to be healthy.

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Got a question for the doc? Comment below or get in touch via email! I’ll send the questions along to Carly and she’ll put together a future post with all the answers! Questions can include “how do I stave off injury during marathon training?” or “what’s the difference between a shin splint and a stress reaction or fracture?” The world is your oyster and no question is a stupid one.

Disclaimer: she can’t answer specific questions related to your health but she can give general tips and feedback. If you have a specific question relating to your health or a potential injury, it’s best if you see your doctor.

Carly Day MD is a board certified Sports Medicine physician for the Cleveland Clinic and is Team Physician for Aurora High School and Notre Dame College. She sees patients in Chagrin Falls and Twinsburg.