To stay organized, Nandi recommends coming to your virtual or in-person appointment fully prepared with a goal in mind (such as remission or better symptom control), and lists of information that can help you and your doctor achieve that goal. Think: lists of medications and symptoms, logs of your food intake and sleep schedule, and anything else that might be relevant to your health. “The more information you can give your doctors about your current health and well-being, the better we’ll be able to help you,” says Nandi. Rather than being a passive participant in the conversation, you’ll want to take a more proactive approach to make sure that you cover everything you want to talk about it. (Hint: You definitely don’t have to wait for the doctor to start talking first.) According to a study published in July 2018 in the American Journal of Surgery, working together with your physician can make you more satisfied with your care and more likely to stick to your treatment plan. “Speak up about anything that is impacting your well-being,” says Nandi. “How well are you doing on your medication? Are you having any symptoms? Even issues that may seem unrelated to IBD should be mentioned.” But that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone until your next appointment; your doctor is still your primary care partner. With the advent of telehealth and patient portals, it’s easy to stay in touch with your healthcare team, ask them questions, and schedule follow-up appointments. According to research published in September 2017 in the journal The Lancet, IBD patients who utilize patient portals to help monitor and manage their symptoms had fewer outpatient visits and hospital admissions. Use these tips to feel empowered with your IBD care plan:
Schedule your next visit now, per your physician’s recommendation.Find out how to access your healthcare provider’s patient portal so you can connect to your doctor.Ask for a summary of your visit as well as a list of tips that can help you manage your condition.Ask for a list of medications and dosages.Fill your prescription right away and take your medications as prescribed.Review the notes you took during your appointment.Create an action plan that incorporates your doctor’s instructions into your routine.Start your symptom tracker and food diary so you’re prepared for your next appointment.If you have questions or can’t remember something, reach out.
