It's normal to feel nervous about your first appointment with a doctor, especially if you are consulting them for an unfamiliar field like functional medicine in Denver. But you don't have to be nervous if you did your research. If you haven't, then you should check the clinic's reviews and ask your acquaintances for reference.
Knowing what to expect during appointments will help you calm your nerves and see whether you are getting a good service or not. Keep in mind that not every appointment will be the same because different doctors have different ways of working. Here's what you can generally expect when going for an appointment with a holistic doctor:
Things To Do Before Appointment
You need to do a few things before visiting the practitioner of functional medicine in Denver for a smooth visit:
- Schedule Appointment
Doctors tend to be busy, that's why it's best to schedule the appointment or else you end up waiting for a long time at the clinic for a slot to be available. You can do this by calling the clinic or using the form on their website. You should check the doctor’s timing and match it with your schedule to find a good time slot for your consultation.
- Formalities
Many clinics require patients to fill a questionnaire either online or at the clinic. They may also ask you to submit copies of documents related to your medical history before the appointment or bring it during the visit. You should submit the documents to help the doctor of alternative medicine in Denver study your case.
What To Expect During First Appointment
The first visit usually takes an hour or longer. Here’s what you can expect during the first consultation:
- Medical Profiling
A practitioner of alternative medicine in Denver tries to find out as much about the patient as possible to find the root cause of the disease. They may start with questions about the symptoms before moving onto your medical history, family history, lifestyle, etc. They usually ask patients to bring medical records to get a clear picture.
You need to answer all the questions honestly to help the doctor find the root cause and suggest solutions for them. You can revise what you want to discuss during the visit so that you don’t miss anything.
- Extensive Examination
After discussing your medical history, the doctor conducts several tests to diagnose your problem. The exact tests may differ based on the doctor’s specialization. E.g. a chiropractor in Denver may conduct a physical examination, test your muscle strength, etc. In some cases, you may need to schedule a follow up to receive the lab results.
- Treatment Plan
If the lab results arrive on the day of the first visit, then the doctor may suggest a treatment plan immediately. In many cases, you can start the treatment on the first visit itself. The doctor may prescribe some medicines and suggest some lifestyle changes.
If you’re satisfied with the doctor’s diagnosis, then you can go ahead with their plan. Else you should seek a second opinion from another practitioner.
What To Expect During Follow-Up Visits
A chiropractor in Denver usually ends the session by suggesting a follow-up appointment. This tends to be shorter than the first appointment. You can schedule it the same way you scheduled the first appointment. If you do schedule follow-ups here’s what you can expect:
- Lab Results
In many cases, the lab results are only available up to four weeks after the first appointment. The doctor may change the treatment plan based on the diagnosis.
- Treatment Plan
They may make changes to the treatment plan based on the diagnosis. They may prescribe other medicines and changes to your lifestyle. You may need to schedule more follow-ups to receive treatment depending on what you’re consulting the doctor for. E.g. If you're consulting a chiropractor in Denver, then you may need to schedule 2 or 3 appointments per week.
- Progress Tracking
Another reason why doctors schedule follow-ups, is to track the progress their treatment makes on your condition. You can also discuss any side effects you might be experiencing. They will make changes to the plan accordingly.
This is the gist of what you can expect during a consultation with a doctor of functional medicine in Denver. You may have slightly different experiences based on the doctor’s specialization. What remains common is that the doctor takes a patient-centric approach to get to the root of your disease and find a solution accordingly.