Preparing for a Patient Visit: What Does a Doctor Do Before Seeing a Patient?

The profession of medicine is both intricate and demanding, and every doctor has their unique pre-patient encounter routine to optimize their preparedness. This process involves reviewing available records and various other preparations, enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of the medical consultation. In this article, we explore the typical procedures followed by a doctor before seeing a patient, focusing on the importance of adequate preparation.

Review of Available Records

A thorough review of any available records is the first step in a doctor's preparation for a patient visit. Doctors usually start by examining the medical history, referral letters, lab results, and any previous notes that are at their disposal. These records serve as a foundation for understanding a patient's condition, ruling out certain possibilities, and formulating a differential diagnosis.

For patients arriving in emergency departments (ER) for the first time, the documentation may be limited to vital signs and a brief note from a triage nurse. Conversely, for long-term acute care patients (LTAC) who have been undergoing extended hospital stays elsewhere, the records can be extensive, possibly spanning hundreds of pages. Such patients often have a considerable amount of information available, detailing their medical journey and treatments over several months or even years.

Strategic Preparation

Although a meticulous review of records is crucial, some doctors, especially when encountering particularly challenging cases, choose not to review all the documentation thoroughly. This strategy ensures that they approach the case with fresh eyes and unbiased preconceptions, which can be advantageous in identifying subtle or hidden clues that might be overlooked.

After years of practice, doctors often develop a more nuanced approach to pre-patient preparation, balancing the need for thoroughness with the importance of making unbiased decisions. Staying vigilant and maintaining a wide differential diagnosis remains essential, even as they gain more experience.

Additional Pre-Visit Preparations

Beyond reviewing records, doctors may engage in other preparatory activities to enhance their effectiveness. This includes mental preparation, such as a brief ritual like the "Serenity Now" routine, to help them stay focused and composed during particularly challenging or emotionally demanding encounters.

Depending on the setting, doctors may receive comprehensive information about a patient before meeting them. In some cases, this information can be so detailed that they can receive everything they need from the computer systems, without ever needing to meet the patient in person. This level of preparation allows for more efficient and focused consultations.

Conclusion

Preparing for a patient visit is a critical practice in the field of medicine. It involves a comprehensive review of available records to ensure a well-rounded understanding of the patient's condition. Additionally, doctors often engage in mental and procedural preparation to enhance their effectiveness and maintain objectivity.

By following these practices, doctors can provide the best care for their patients, ensuring that each encounter is thorough, accurate, and beneficial.