Welcome back to Mount Sinai Queens’ brand new blog featuring useful news and tips to help you lead a healthier life. I am Dr. Sarah Van Wagner, a board-certified family medicine physician who works at Mount Sinai Queens’ Steinway Medical Group. Please remember that this information is not a substitute for direct medical advice.
When you arrive at a new doctor’s office, before you actually see the doctor, the office staff will ask you to fill out paper work to establish your patient chart. At Mount Sinai Queens, this information is entered into an electronic medical record which is designed to follow you through the Mount Sinai Hospital in Queens and Manhattan. Demographics, insurance information, health history including allergies and medications taken are all crucial to a comprehensive chart. The office staff will need to make a copy of your insurance card and need to see identification so be sure and bring those with you.
The doctor will review your health history with you, including current medications, vitamins, and supplements, once the visit has started. He will also want a complete list of other physicians you have seen, for example, an orthopedic surgeon or dermatologist. Family medical history is important too. A thorough history and physical examination are the best tools your doctor has when he or she first sees you as a patient.
Since this is the first visit, there is information you will want to find out about the doctor and his practice: what is the best way to contact the doctor with questions? What is the doctor’s preferred method of contact – email or telephone? What is the best phone number or email address? What is the most efficient way to get a prescription refilled? How long does it normally take to get an appointment? Where is the best place to get urgent or emergency care?
Mount Sinai Queens brand new emergency department is opening in early 2016. You may want to discuss this option with your doctor if you live in Queens.
Thanks for joining me. Please post your questions and comments; I will be reviewing them frequently. My next entry will focus on How to Get the Most From a Doctor Visit.