Many times questions and concerns arise when you are not in the doctor’s office. And if you’re like me, the questions/concerns fly right out of your head and are forgotten long before your appointment. A medical notebook helps you remember what it is that you wanted to discuss with your physician.
What is a Medical Notebook?
I first read about the need for a medical notebook in a blog post titled Pretty Handmade Medical Notebook. I was intrigued by the medical notebook part as I had not heard of it. What is it? What do you do with it? These are the questions I asked the post author, Tanya. Tanya is a chronic illness blogger at My Fruitful Home, so I could possibly benefit from it.
A medical notebook is a way to track any questions, concerns, or issues you want to address with your physician.
Tanya has a great DIY medical notebook, but I’m not so crafty. I bought a smaller notebook (like the ones shown below). It’s small enough to fit in my purse, so I don’t forget to take it with me to my appointments.
Benefits of a Medical Notebook
Many times these questions and concerns arise when you are not in the doctor’s office. And if you’re like me, the questions/concerns fly right out of your head and are forgotten long before your appointment. A medical notebook helps you remember what it is that you wanted to discuss with your physician. Jot down the question/concern and you’ll have it during your next visit.
Keeping it in my purse also helps me remember where it is. (read: I have a tendency to lose items. Often.) Having it in my purse also allows me to write down those questions/concerns that I have when I’m not at home.
There’s no way I can remember all the questions and topics I want to discuss with my physician. I’m constantly reading articles about fibromyalgia, labs, supplements, etc, so there’s at least one question that comes up while I’m reading. Immediately writing it down in my medical notebook prevents me from forgetting it. Sometimes I write a blurb about why I have that particular question/concern.
I’ve had a medical notebook for several months now and I’ve been so thankful for it more than once.
Thank you, Tanya, for the great idea of a medical notebook!
Thanks for mentioning my blog Brandi!
You’re welcome 🙂
Looking forward to this series! I’ll share the link to my readers as well. A medical notebook is one of the most valuable tools we can use. I can rely on my brain with all the fibro fog but a paper brain always come through for me! 😉
It is a valuable tool for those of us that have a hard time remembering (thanks fibro fog). Thank you for sharing!
This is so useful, thanks Brandi! I’ve been using my computer’s calendar to write notes under each appointments, and then print out that particular appointment.
That’s a good idea, too!
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