How to get the most from your  appointment for your throat concern

Here are some suggestions for making the most of your throat appointment.  

Bring with you any potentially relevant healthcare information.  If you have seen anyone else for this or a related condition, the reports and images from prior work may well not be readily available to Dr. Lansford during your visit, unless they are from Christie Clinic, Bromenn, or OSF.

Unless they are coming from Christie Clinic, Bromenn, or the OSF system, please hand-carry to your appointment the following items:

• Any prior operative or clinic notes and any biopsy results relevant to this condition.  You can get these from the medical records department of the hospital or clinic where you were seen previously.

• Any recent imaging or x-rays obtained for your current oral problem.  

  • If you have undergone a CT scan, MRI scan, or a “swallow study” of any type for this problem, please hand-carry the result to your appointment with Dr. Lansford.  These types of studies have two parts, both of which are needed at your appointment.  First is the images themselves, burned onto a CD, and second is the radiologist’s interpretation (which is usually provided on paper, but sometimes included electronically with the CD).  To obtain these, you may need to go to the radiology department where the images were taken and say “I need the actual images and the radiologist’s report.”

Bring a list of your current medications (prescription and non-prescription) and their doses.  If it is easier, you could bring in your current medications.

Bring your photo I.D., your medical insurance card, and be prepared for your copay.

Also, in case you have to wait, it is a good idea to bring with you something to do, such as your phone or a book.  Bring a notepad and paper if you might wish to take notes.  Bring a family member or friend if you wish to have another “set of ears."