How to prepare for your visit

The day of your office visit will likely be stressful; an unknown diagnosis is understandably unnerving for most. Here are a few pointers to help prepare for that day ... in advance.

Breast Cancer Survivor

Office Policies/What do you need for your initial office visit?

While seeking to provide the most comprehensive, high quality care, there are a few office policies that are important.

Office Policies

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Please review these office polices before your visit.

  • While we do our best to stay on time, there are unexpected delays that occur.  Please plan on at least 1 hour for your visit.
  • Understandably, when you’re nervous, it’s difficult to remember all the information that is discussed.  PLEASE, if you plan to tape record a visit, let the provider know you are doing so.
  • A copy of your office visit note is available within 24 hours of your visit.
  • Bring with you, the addresses of any physician or provider you want included in the correspondence regarding your visit.

Paperwork

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What would a doctor visit be without paperwork? Please don’t forget to bring:

  • Your insurance card(s)
  • A photo ID (you cannot be seen without a photo ID)
  • Your referral (many insurances require a referral from your primary care doctor. These referrals are a MUST. You cannot be seen without a referral (if required). Unfortunately, the promise of a referral will not help and your appointment will be cancelled/rescheduled without the necessary referral.
  • A friend or relative, as another set of ‘ears’ is always helpful.

Clinical Information

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You will likely have already spoken to a staff member, or filled out a medical questionnaire on-line. It is essential that we have:

  • A list of your medications, including dosages.
  • A list of your prior surgeries and medical issues.
  • As much information about family members who might have had breast cancer as possible.
  • Information about family history, especially of breast, ovarian, prostate and skin cancer.
  • Via the patient portal, most of this information can be obtained prior to your appointment.
  • A Risk Assessment Questionnaire can also be completed ahead of time, via a website link that can be emailed to new patients prior to their appointment.

Diagnostic Information

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In order to provide the highest quality care, it is important to bring, or, have available:

  • The latest mammogram and ultrasound reports
  • The latest breast MRI report
  • A pathology report if one is available – Patients from outside the Beaumont Health System (those patients who have had imaging or pathology done within the System do not need to worry about this)
  • If you are coming from a hospital outside of the Beaumont Health System, the actual images (pictures) of the aforementioned test are very helpful and improve the quality of your visit
  • Please be aware that images on a CD are fine, but, sometimes, the discs cannot be opened due to technical reasons
  • Ultimately, we might need to have the pathology ‘slides’ reviewed, and will ask for your help in obtaining – this is not necessary at the first visit