General

Five Tips For Getting The Most Out of Your Doctor’s Visit

When you visit your doctor, it is an opportunity to speak with a medical expert with a vast amount of knowledge and resources to address any and all health problems you may be facing. Most people have to take time off work, school, or other responsibilities in order to see their doctor. Add in the time it takes you to get to and from the doctor’s office, as well as the time spent in the waiting room, and you will likely be spending at least 2 hours in total to complete this task. That’s why it is important to make your visit worthwhile.

Here are five tips to maximize the benefits of your doctor’s visit.

Tip #1 Make a written list of questions and symptoms before you go to your appointment.

In order to maximize the time spent with your doctor, you should have everything you need to be addressed during the appointment. Unfortunately, it’s easy to forget details about your symptoms or questions you want to ask your doctor when you have to remember everything by memory alone.

For instance, you may wish to ask about vaccines or prescription refills. Is it time for your next colonoscopy? Could that antibiotic you took for a UTI have upset your stomach? These types of questions are easy to forget. This is why writing and bringing a list of your symptoms and questions is a great idea.

Tip #2 Be specific about your symptoms.

If you have a new or continuing complaint, be detailed when relaying your symptoms to your doctor. When did the symptoms start? What worsens or improves it? What kind of pain are you experiencing (sharp, dull, aching, etc.) and what activities make it worse? What is the exact location of your discomfort? The more precisely you communicate how you feel, the better your doctor’s assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan will be.

Tip #3 Bring a written list of your medications and all vitamins and supplements, including dosages and when you take them.

The benefit of sharing this information is that a lot of patient symptoms come from the drugs and supplements they take. For instance, a medication you’re taking for pain may be causing constipation. It could even be a drug interaction that is unbeknownst to you. Your doctor can review your medications and supplements, check for interactions, and even recommend alternatives – all in a single appointment.

Tip #4 Be honest.

A lot of patients come into their doctor’s office and feel that they can’t share 100% of everything they’re experiencing due to embarrassment or fear of what they’ll hear. For instance, a diabetic may be embarrassed to tell their doctor that they aren’t controlling their blood sugar level properly or that they aren’t taking their medication as prescribed. Alternatively, a patient with an alarming symptom may not want to share it out of fear of what they may be diagnosed with.

Your doctor is your ally in health, and it is important that you be as honest and transparent with them as possible. They are your gateway to better health, and they want to support you in every way possible. It is a judgment-free zone, and you should feel comfortable being as honest during your doctor’s visit as you are with yourself.

Tip #5 Take notes, or ask for a printed visit summary.

Your doctor’s appointment will be effective when you incorporate what’s discussed and decided in the appointment once you get home. In order to follow your doctor’s instructions better, it is best to write everything down. Bring a pen and paper with you, and write down the changes to your diet, medications, or lifestyle that your doctor recommends. You can also ask for a printed copy of your visit summary if your doctor’s office provides such a thing.

Quality Primary and Urgent Care in Stokes County, NC

If you live in the Stokes County, NC, area, visit Cardinal Urgent Care for all your health care needs. We are happy to serve patients seven days a week. Just walk in for fast, compassionate service, or let us know you’re coming by calling (336) 983-9111.

Board-certified emergency medicine physician, Dr. Samir Patel, and his team provide quick and accurate treatments for a wide range of injuries and conditions. Plus, we offer on-site testing, such as blood work, X-rays, and EKGs, as well as physical exams for work, school, or more.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

What Is Occupational Health and Why Is It Important?

Occupational health is a medical subspecialty that deals with maintaining the health and safety of workers. This covers everything from injury treatment and prevention to workspace ergonomics to the elimination of hazards to mental and physical well-being, so it benefits both employee and employer.

The approach to occupational health is both proactive and reactive, helping to keep people on the job and workplaces fully functional and safe. Let’s talk about how occupational health works, and where you can go in King for a DOT physical and a pre-employment drug test.

What Kinds of Injuries and Conditions Are Treated in Occupational Health?

Occupational health providers deal with a wide range of acute and chronic health conditions which happen on the job or are related to conditions in the workplace. Common workplace problems include:

  • Slip-and-fall injuries
  • Crush injuries
  • Car accidents or accidents with moving machinery
  • Lacerations (cuts)
  • Bruises
  • Repetitive-motion injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome (in the wrist/hand)
  • Lower-back pain
  • Strains (stretching or tearing of a tendon or muscle)
  • Sprains(stretching or tearing of a ligament)
  • Fractures
  • Burns and other heat-related injuries
  • Hearing injury
  • Vision injury
  • Anxiety and stress-related issues

How Are Occupational Health Problems Assessed and Treated?

To diagnose and treat occupational health issues, your provider may utilize one or more of the following:

Where Can Employees Go for Employment Assessments and Treatment?

A medical clinic that offers occupational health services understands the workers’ compensation process, and the medical staff can help determine whether a person is healthy enough to return to work after an injury. The clinic’s staff should also be able to help you complete a workers’ compensation claim.

A medical center that offers occupational health services will strive to help to:

  • Reduce employee absenteeism
  • Recommend how employers can avoid liabilities
  • Suggest ways to work safely and efficiently, sometimes by modifying job tasks if necessary

Occupational health standards and practices help keep people on the job, keep employers compliant with laws and regulations, and reduce the incidence of injury, stress, and even death related to job conditions.

DOT Physicals and Pre-Employment Drug Testing in King, NC

Here at Cardinal Urgent Care, our professional medical team is headed by Dr. Samir Patel, a board-certified emergency medicine physician. We are dedicated to bringing accessible medical care to patients of all ages in the Triad area, and we also care for the needs of the valuable workers of our community.

If you’re in need of occupational medical services, we are available seven days a week. Feel free to call ahead to notify us of your pending arrival at (336) 983-9111.

You may request an appointment to schedule a physical exam or diagnostic test, or simply walk in anytime during our extended business hours. We look forward to serving you and your family!

FAQs About COVID-19 Testing

While there are some people who believe that the we’re now close to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, some scientists assert the virus is here to stay, and it could just take on a similar ebb and flow to the flu.

Regardless of which school of thought you adopt, one thing that cannot be refuted is that COVID-19 testing remains crucial for preventing and mitigating the spread of the disease that has already upended the lives of billions of people the world over.

Learn more about COVID-19 testing through the answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions about it, as listed below:

Q: When Do I Need A COVID-19 Test?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people get tested for COVID-19 if any of the following circumstances applies to them:

  • Have symptoms of the virus (e.g., fever, chills, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, etc.)
  • Have had known or suspected close contact with someone who’s been diagnosed with COVID-19- Even if the person is fully vaccinated, they should be tested 5 to 7 days after their exposure.
  • Not fully vaccinated and had known or suspected exposure to someone who’s confirmed to have COVID-19- If the test is negative, they should test again 5 to 7 days later or immediately if symptoms develop.
  • Starting an academic year or returning to work
  • Need to travel
  • Have been required to do so by a public health official or healthcare professional

Q: What Type of Covid Test Should I Have?

There are two types of COVID-19 viral tests available that are designed to check for current infection:

  • PCR test- This involves taking a sample which can either be a nasal swab or saliva. It is reliable for people with and without symptoms as it is highly sensitive to detecting even very small amounts of the virus. Test results are usually available within 1 to 3 days, and no follow-up test is usually required.
  • Rapid test (Antigen test)– Rapid tests usually involve also taking a nasal swab sample. They provide quick results (within 15 to 30 minutes) and are useful screening tests, but they are generally less sensitive compared to PCR tests and may be less reliable for people without symptoms. Follow-up tests may therefore be necessary.

Q: What If I Don’t Have Symptoms, Do I Still Need to Get Tested?

COVID-19 symptoms may take 2 to 14 days to appear after a person’s exposure to the virus. If you suspect you may have been exposed to the virus, you should take the correct precautionary measures right away.

One recent study estimated that 35 percent of all COVID-19 infections are asymptomatic, meaning the virus could be potentially transmitted to others unknowingly. Regular antigen testing is a quick and effective way to help identify asymptomatic cases of COVID-19.

Q: Where Should I Go for a Covid-19 Test?

You can get a COVID-19 test from an urgent care facility near you. However, you have to call the provider beforehand, so they can tell you how to safely go about the process—without the potential risk of disease transmission.

COVID-19 Testing in King, NC

At Cardinal Urgent Care, we are your one-step destination for your healthcare needs. In addition to providing top-notch urgent care, we offer a vast array of ancillary services—including COVID-19 testing, occupational health services, and diagnostic services—as part of our goal of delivering comprehensive health care for the men, women, and children in our community.

If you would like to find out more about COVID-19 testing or our other healthcare services, call us today at (336) 983-9111. Got an urgent medical situation? Simply walk in! We offer convenient extended opening hours, so you can get the care you need, when you need it.