I have discussed the idea and benefits of a doctor user guide previously, where you can see my personal Doctor User Guide.
You can use the below template to create your own Doctor User Guide.
Feel free to use this doctor user guide Template and modify it with your answers.
I would encourage you to be honest. It helps doctors select the patients who would like to go with your style of practice and will provide clear expectations on difficult discussions like practice preference, communication, billing, follow-ups and your style of practice.
Introduction
Name: Dr. [Your Full Name]
Specialty: [e.g., Family Medicine, Cardiology, etc.]
Medical School & Graduation Year: [e.g., Harvard Medical School, 2010]
A brief personal introduction: [e.g., I enjoy hiking, reading medical journals, and spending time with my family. I believe in holistic care and fostering strong doctor-patient relationships.]
Medical Philosophy
Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment: [e.g., I focus on evidence-based medicine, taking a thorough history, and conducting comprehensive examinations to arrive at a diagnosis. I believe in collaborative decision-making with my patients regarding their treatment plans.]
Preferred Treatment Modalities: [e.g., Lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, minimally invasive procedures when necessary.]
Approach to Alternative Medicine: [e.g., I am open to integrating alternative medicine approaches that are evidence-based and complement conventional treatments.]
Measures of Treatment Success: [e.g., Improvement in symptoms, enhanced quality of life, achieving agreed-upon health goals.]
Appointments
What to Expect:
Duration of typical appointment: [e.g., Initial consultations: 30-45 minutes, Follow-up appointments: 15-30 minutes.]
Structure of the appointment: [e.g., Discussion of symptoms and concerns, physical examination, discussion of diagnosis, and treatment plan.]
Expected wait time: [e.g., I strive to be on time, but unforeseen delays may occur. Typically, the wait time is around 10-15 minutes.]
Practice Preferences
Preferred Methods of Communication: [e.g., I prefer phone calls for urgent issues, and emails for non-urgent matters.]
Availability: [e.g., Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. For urgent matters, I have an on-call service available.]
Why don't I respond to your message?: [e.g., If I haven’t responded, it’s likely due to a busy patient schedule. I prioritize responding to all messages within 24 hours.]
Preferred Scheduling System: [e.g., Online scheduling through our patient portal or calling the clinic directly.]
Cancellation Policy: [e.g., Please provide at least 24 hours notice for cancellations to avoid a cancellation fee.]
Preparing for Your Appointment:
List of current medications and dosages: [Prompt: Bring a written list or the medication bottles.]
Medical history and recent test results: [Prompt: Bring any relevant documents or a summary of your medical history.]
Preparing questions and concerns in advance: [Prompt: Write down any questions or concerns you may have to ensure we address everything.]
Raising Concerns:
My preferred method for discussing sensitive or complex issues: [e.g., I encourage open discussion during our appointment or a scheduled phone call for complex issues.]
Prescribing Practices
My approach to some medications: [e.g., I prescribe medications judiciously, only when necessary and after discussing potential benefits and risks.]
Approach to Generic vs. Brand Name Medication: [e.g., I typically prescribe generic medications as they are equally effective and cost-efficient.]
Prescription Renewal Policy: [e.g., Please contact the clinic at least one week before your medication runs out for renewals.]
Billing
Billing type: [e.g., Fee-for-service, Insurance billing.]
Billing Cycle: [e.g., Billing is done after each visit.]
Payment Methods Accepted: [e.g., We accept credit cards, cash, and checks.]
Financial Assistance Options: [e.g., We offer a sliding fee scale for eligible individuals.]
Tips on Being a Good Patient
Providing information:
Let me know about any new symptoms or changes early: [Prompt: Early reporting helps in timely management.]
Scheduling and attending follow-up appointments: [e.g., Regular follow-ups are crucial for monitoring progress.]
Adhering to treatment plans: [e.g., Compliance with treatment plans is essential for achieving desired health outcomes.]
Open Communication:
Sharing any concerns or fears about treatment: [e.g., I value your input and am here to address any concerns.]
Disclosing all relevant information, even if it seems unimportant: [e.g., Every piece of information can be crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.]
Asking for clarification if something is not understood: [e.g., Feel free to ask for clarification, I am here to help.]
Additional Notes
[e.g., I believe in a team approach to healthcare and encourage you to take an active role in your health. Together, we can work towards achieving your health goals.]
[e.g., I am happy seeing diverse range of patients including.... .]
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