Have you ever wondered how to make the most of your medical appointments? Need some advice on how to make sure your doctor is hearing you?

Learn how to get the most out of your next appointment when SilverSneakers® teams up with GetSetUp to present Dr. You: How To Get The Medical Care You Want & Need on Tuesday, August 30th. 

Most Americans agree that they need to advocate for their health but many times – during the most important and serious moments – they fail to speak up. Dr. Archelle Georgiou will explain why patients must get comfortable having a voice in their medical care decisions and how to use the  CARES Model as a roadmap to making balanced, thoughtful healthcare choices.

Dr. Archelle Georgiou is the Chief Health Officer for Starkey Hearing Technologies, a hearing aid manufacturer headquartered in Minnesota. In addition to her role at Starkey, Archelle is Chairman of the Board of Directors at Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota. 

Prior to that she was the Chief Medical Officer and a senior executive at UnitedHealth Group between 1995 and 2007. After graduating from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, she was trained and board-certified in Internal Medicine. 

Since 2007 Dr. Georgiou has been an on-air medical expert and has covered over 2000 medical topics during her weekly segments on KSTP, the ABC affiliate in Minneapolis-St Paul. Based on her interactions with viewers, in 2017, Dr. Georgiou published her first book, Health Care Choices: 5 Steps to Getting the Medical Care You Want and Need (Rowman & Littlefield).

Dr. Georgiou grew up in a Greek immigrant family that only believed in paying college tuition for becoming a doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc. Since her strength was science and math she pursued becoming a doctor. 

“Frankly, I didn't know what that really meant until years later when I experienced the joy of interacting with patients,” said Dr. Georgiou.

Despite having a pre-set path planned for her, it turned out to be the right one. She loves being a doctor and helping people navigate the healthcare system. An essential part of that is understanding where her patients are coming from. 

“My favorite part of being a doctor is going beyond asking about medical symptoms. I love hearing people's life stories---how they grew up, where they work, how they met their spouse. This is how I connect with people and how they connect with me.” 

Speak up when you are with your medical care provider

In her Guest Speaking session,  Dr. You: How To Get The Medical Care You Want & Need, she will describe why people must be involved in making medical treatment choices. She will discuss the importance of shared healthcare decision-making and explain the CARES Model as a guiding framework that people can use to have a voice in their care. 

“Doctors are experts in medical diagnosis; patients are experts in themselves. So while your doctor can suggest treatment options, only you know what's most important to you and what tradeoffs you are willing to make. The RIGHT care for each person combines both and has to fit with each person's preferences, priorities and values,”  said Dr. Georgiou. 

It can be difficult for some people to speak up when they are with their medical care providers. The tendency is to look to the provider for all the answers. But, according to Dr. Georgiou, 

“The most common mistake people make when speaking to their care provider is ask ‘what would you do?’ Instead they should ask questions about treatment options, risks, benefits, impact to quality of life, and cost.”

Three ways to improve your medical visits

The good news is that according to Dr. Georgiou there are simple ways to improve your medical visits that you can start practicing at your next visit! 

1. Be prepared. 

Jot down notes BEFORE your visit to help you tell a clear story about your symptoms. When possible try to have clear answers to the following questions: 

1. When did your symptoms start? 
2. What are the best words to describe what your symptoms feel like? 
3. Where (exactly) are the symptoms? 
4. What makes your symptoms better or worse? 

2. Know your medications and medical history. 

Make sure you have access to your online medical records and know what medications you are on. You can take pictures of the medications you are taking to show to your doctor if you are worried about forgetting them. 

3. Go in with a mindset that you are an equal partner in your care. 

Medical care is a two-way street to help you manage your health. Make sure you: 

1. Ask questions. 
2. Speak up on regarding what is important to you and what will give you peace of mind.  

Remember that a medical care provider only knows what you tell them. That’s why it is essential to be direct and say, "What's really important to me is ......." 

This will give them the information they need to tailor their recommendation and approach to what you need. For more tips and to learn the CARE method join  Dr. You: How To Get The Medical Care You Want & Need on Tuesday, August 30th thanks to SilverSneakers and GetSetUp. 

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