When It’s a Different Doctor Every Time You Go to the Clinic

I get asked all the time… “Kelly, I have no insurance. So every time I go to the clinic, I get seen by a different doctor.  They have my chart, but I have to start all over every time I go. You say to ask my doctor about this and that, but I have no regular doctor. What can I do?”

The answer: Empower yourself, which means know yourself! Know your numbers. Know your baseline. Kind of like they give you a little card to keep a record of all of your medications, patients with lung disease should keep a record of test results and baselines. I have included a downloadable .pdf file below. Your list should look something like this:

 

Test                                          Result                                Where and when it was done

CXR                                         clear                                   Hospital, 2015

Spirometry

PFT full study                         FEV 1 30% pred              2014

ABG                                       7.35/50/80/28/90%          2015 Hospital

6 minute walk

Baseline sat on room air     90

Quick 02 walking test

If you haven’t had most of these tests, don’t worry. You may not need all of them.

Tip:

When you have X-rays done, ask to have the image put on a CD for you. They may have to mail it. Keep it with you. Take it with you when you go to a doctor or clinic.

Click Here for your Test Cheat Sheet