1. Maximizing the Office Visit
DJ Kaley RN, MSN

2. What do You want out of the visit?
Current status?
Lab results?
Prognosis?
Treatment plan?
Upcoming therapies?
Upcoming research?

3. Bring all your medications
Doctor prescribed Over-the-counter Natural remedies Herbal remedies Dietary supplements

4. Current symptoms Diary of symptoms Cough Stomach aches
Sinus/allergy problems
Difficulty breathing
When-mornings only?, all day?
Triggers-cold weather? Fatty foods?
Duration-one week ago? Since last visit?
How often-every day?, week?
What helps relieve them-breathing tx? Sinus rinses? Going to BR

5. Documentation Specific questions you want to ask
Answers to above questions
Provide team the following contact information:
Emergency contact
All medical providers
Pharmacy
DME co
Insurance

6. Helpful Hints Bring someone to take notes Ask for further explanation
Get plan in writing
Alert team to any difficulties doing care
Anxiety, depression
Behavioral issues
Problem obtaining medications
Problems with equipment

7. Decreasing Child’s Anxiety Around Visits
Buy a toy doctor kit
Let child play with the toy equipment
Let child examine you
Practice what parts of exam produces anxiety
Blood pressure
Opening mouth for culture
Looking in ears or nose
Bring doctor kit with you to appointments
Plan a small reward for improving at visit
Stickers, dollar store toy, reading a favorite book

8. Decreasing pre-teen, teen anxiety over fear of being admitted
Review symptom diary
Point out cooperation with treatments and supplements
Remind of times when successfully treated at home
Remind that admission is sometimes just a fact of life with CF-not a punishment

9. After the Visit Review with child/teen What went well
What didn’t go well
What to work on for next visit
How does child/teen think visits can be improved?
Let the CF Team know

10. Between Visits Child getting sick? Call your CF nurse
General question? your CF team via MyChart or call nurse
Each member of team (MD, RN, RD, RT, MSW, etc) has via MyChart
Obtaining results: via MyChart or call nurse
Problems receiving equipment or medications: or call nurse
Need paperwork for school: or fax nurse

11. Thank You
Any questions?