General Questions

How do I ensure a quality visit with a nurse practitioner or any health care provider?

To ensure a quality visit, the health care provider will ask about symptoms. It is helpful to know when the symptoms started, what symptoms started first, what the associated symptoms are if there are any, what you were doing when the symptoms first began, the time frame the symptoms occur (for example the time of day if it is recurring) what has helped alleviate the symptoms, and what has made the symptoms worse.

Knowing these will help your health care provider pinpoint the problem and come up with a solution. They might ask you to rate discomfort on a scale of one to ten. If you are experiencing pain, is it stabbing, dull, heavy, tight, squeezing, achy, or sharp? What medications are you currently taking, what are your allergies? Be able to give brief synopsis of medical history, surgeries or chronic illness.

At the end of the visit you should ask what your diagnosis is. It is often helpful if you bring someone with you so that they can help you remember details. If a prescription is given, get it filled and if you are told to get lab work, do it. If the treatment does not help the condition, call back. Know what your insurance covers before you go into the office so that there are no surprises, be prepared to pay the co-pay.

How do I decide when I need to be seen?

If you are sick for longer than a week, you are running a temperature, you are unable to keep fluids down, or you have persistent pain you should be seen.

How do I survive the hospital?

Double check that the pills they give you are correct before you take them, accidents and mistakes can be made easily and it is better to be safe than sorry. Write down your questions and have a list for the doctor so that you get your questions answered.

About nurse practitioners

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education and training in the diagnosis and management a variety of medical conditions, including common and complex conditions. Nurse Practitioners provide a broad range of health care services, and they treat both acute and chronic conditions. Common methods include comprehensive history taking, physical exams, physical therapy, ordering tests, and therapies for patients. Nurse Practitioners are generally licensed through nursing boards rather than medical boards. 

What are some of the similarities between physicians and family nurse practitioners?

• Prescribe medications
• Refer to specialists as needed
• Order and interpret tests
• Perform physicals
• Treat acute and chronic illnesses

What happens if I have to be hospitalized?

Lifetime Family Care adult and pediatric patients are admitted either under Dr. Dymek or a hospitalist. Hospitalists are highly trained physicians who work exclusively at Covenant. Upon discharge, a follow up appointment is scheduled with Mary. The use of hospitalists is a growing trend in the US and many family practices use this system.