The Essential Patient Handbook (eBook)

Preface
How to Use This Book
The Medical Evaluation Process and Developing Your Own Medical Record
What are You Complaining About? - The Chief Complaint
Make Your Mark in History - Your History of Present Illness (HPI)
Your Specific Symptoms
Blast From the Past - Your Past Medical History
All in the Family - Your Family History
Put Yourself to the Test - Your Prior Diagnostic Workup
Current and Prior Treatments
Beyond the Facts and Figures - Your Psychosocial History
Your Current and Future Health
Did We Forget Anything? - The Review of Systems
Let's Get Physical - The Physical Examination
Testing Patients, Not Your Patience - Future Tests and Procedures
Putting it all Together - How the Doctor Arrives at the Diagnosis
To Waste Time or Not Waste Time, That is the Question - The Follow-up Visit and Specific Diagnoses
Special Situations
Your Child's Medical History
The Psychiatric Consultation for Adults and Children
Preparing the Medical Evaluation for Patients with Impaired Thinking
Whose Life is it Anyway? - Preparing Advance Directives
Questions for the Doctor
Not Asking About Test Results Is Out of the Question
Questions About Your Diagnosis and When to Get a Second Opinion
If You Don't Ask Questions About Your Medications, You Are Asking for Trouble
Surgery and Others Procedures Are Not a Cut and Dry Matter
Don't Compliment a Doctor Who Won't Discuss Complementary Medicine
Call of the Wild or Don't Get Excited When You Call Your Doctor
Other Useful Information
Don't Go Out of Your Mind When You Go Out Of Network - Understanding Medical Insurance Plans
You Don't Have to Be a Doctor to Get a Medical Education - Ignorance is NOT Bliss When It Comes to Your Health
Doctors: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Don't Let Difficult Doctors Get On Your Case
Feelings You May Have When You See the Doctor
Read this BEFORE You Go to the Hospital
Final Thoughts
Appendices
Completed History Form Example
Common Medical Errors Related to Testing
Differential Diagnosis
Medication Categories