Until we get a reasonable form of universal health care, we have to step up. We are not totally helpless. We have ways to protect ourselves and get better care.

Fixing health care is the hottest topic in America today. I'm not going to solve it here. The current system sucks, but it's what we've got. So I am offering some advice and tools to help you get better health care, right now.

Because even if you've got good health insurance, your doctor visits are rushed, your access to information and assistance limited, and your health possibly compromised.

If you have little or no health insurance, you can still get medical attention. Especially if you pay attention to some important details.

You can, you should take personal, proactive responsibility for your own care. We can all help  achieve better care for ourselves and our families.  How? Communication.

I've had the bad luck to need more than my share of doctors. The upside is I've learned how to get them to pay attention to me. To make the most of each visit. And to come away with my health issues addressed, my needs met, my head held high.

Here are five tips that can help you get more thorough, less frustrating medical treatment ... with the added potential for better diagnoses and less dangerous mistakes.

SWIFT TIPS FOR BETTER HEALTH CARE

1. Paperwork Works ... THIS IS CRITICAL
Create a page on your computer of your medical history (see sample above). List all your medications, including over-the-counter vitamins and pain killers. Update regularly if necessary. List any drug allergies and your reactions. 

Include a chronological list of any and all hospitalizations, surgeries and procedures. Update that regularly too. Provide a listing, with phone numbers, of all your doctors, dentist, specialists.

Every member of your family should have one to bring to every doctor, every time. And, most importantly, to a hospital.

Doctors are truly grateful to be handed an organized typed history instead of trying to decipher your handwriting on a form or drag more details from your overburdened mind. Every doctor, every time has said to me, ""Wow, I wish everybody did this."

NOTE: Put your name, date of birth and an emergency contact number at the top. If you have medical conditions, take prescription meds and/or have serious drug allergies, carry the list with you at all times.  It could save your life.

2. Office Politics
Get to know the people at the front desk. Let them know you're willing to wait 30-40 minutes, no longer or you'll have to reschedule. Then act on it!

Once after waiting an hour for the doctor, I got dressed, went to the front desk and politely asked to reschedule. Voila! I waited less than 10 minutes next visit. And haven't waited longer than 20 ever since.

3. Call Waiting
Call the office before you leave home or work to ask if the doctor's running on time. If you've established a good rapport with the staff (see above), they'll tell you the truth. Then you can decide whether to come later or reschedule.

Most offices don't want to take heat from angry patients stacked up in the waiting room.

4. Due Diligence

Use the Internet responsibly to research illnesses, symptoms, medications, alternative care strategies, treatments. 

    A. Before your appointment make a list of everything you want to discuss. Questions, physical complaints, fears. Timelines of symptoms. Prescriptions you need refilled. Bring a pen and two copies so you can take notes as you review the list together with your doctor.

    B. Bring test results. Copies of reports from other doctors. X-rays. MRI's. CT scans. You are entitled to all medical reports and should keep your own copies.

    C. Take notes of instructions, suggestions and referrals. If your doctor sees you're putting everything in writing, you'll both know you've got the whole picture. And who can read a doctor's handwriting anyway?

    D. Ask for samples of medications. Almost every doctor's office and clinic has some on hand. Especially if it's a new med, a sample could save you money over a full prescription if it doesn't work or it turns out you're allergic to it.

5. Payment Attention
Don't forget your insurance card, co-pay and referral slip, if needed. You made it this far, you don't want to blow the appointment because you forgot to remember the red tape.

If you can't pay the full fee, come prepared with a payment schedule of your own. It shows you're serious and could make the difference in their decision to accept what you can afford.

Doctors and those who run their offices appreciate and value patients who have it all together. If you show respect for their time and concerns, they'll pay more attention to yours.

 ***IMPORTANT***

1. In addition to your medical history form (and one for each family member), you should also have your living will on your computer -- and keep printed copies in a special, accessable file folder.

2. Your doctors should all have these documents in your medical file.

3. Your emergency contact person, plus at least one back-up, should have copies too. They, and your family members, should know where your original documents are located.

(Thank you, Denese, for reminding me).

4. Put everything on a small flash drive, write or tape Medical History Files on the outside and carry on your key ring. Give one to your sig other or emergency contact too. (You don't need much space, a cheap 8 or 16 MB thumb drive will do).

(Thank you, Kelly, for this great idea).

[PM me if you'd like a Word doc of the sample medical history form above.] 

Sample living wills can be found online or at your doctor's office.

Full Disclosure: I wrote another post about medical care during beta in July 2008. Given our current health care crisis I wanted to offer more people access to this good advice (she said modestly), so I rewrote the 5 tips here and created a sample form.