Is this BAD etiqutte at the doctor’s office?
I’m getting blood work results so I would like to bring a notebook so i can take notes while she tells me the results. Is note-taking bad etiquette?
I always bring notes with me, so I don’t forget a question I’d been meaning to ask. People feel nervous, often forget to ask something. Also, it’s good to list symptoms so you are organized, don’t waste valuable time stumbling, trying to remember.
Likewise, I note answers I am given. I do this very briefly, then expand on the answers in the waiting room immediately after I leave the exam room. The only bad etiquette is if you take a lot of time to write a lot of stuff. And I find a sheet of paper looks less formal than a notebook.
So noting a couple of blood results and what they mean is fine. But – I always get a copy of the print out of the results. It’s easier, quicker, more accurate. It’s routine to ask for a copy.
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:14 pm
I don’t think there is anything wrong with that at all. On the other hand, they will probably give you a piece of paper with the results on it. But there is no harm in you taking notes. I’ve gone to doctors who have given me multiple tasks to do after the exam, and I took out a notepad and wrote it down. They were glad I was that interested.
References :
June 3rd, 2010 at 1:02 pm
No. Etiquette is not as important as getting accurate information … any doctor would be pleased that you are taking notes and not trying to remember details that may be confusing or difficult to remember.
References :
June 3rd, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Not bad etiquette at all. You have a right to fully understand what is going on with your medical condition. You can even ask the physician if they have any material on whatever he/she is discussing with you, too.
Have a polite day.
References :
June 3rd, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Why would you want to write down what the doctor says when you will eventually receive the information in the mail?
References :
My physical
June 3rd, 2010 at 2:02 pm
I always bring notes with me, so I don’t forget a question I’d been meaning to ask. People feel nervous, often forget to ask something. Also, it’s good to list symptoms so you are organized, don’t waste valuable time stumbling, trying to remember.
Likewise, I note answers I am given. I do this very briefly, then expand on the answers in the waiting room immediately after I leave the exam room. The only bad etiquette is if you take a lot of time to write a lot of stuff. And I find a sheet of paper looks less formal than a notebook.
So noting a couple of blood results and what they mean is fine. But – I always get a copy of the print out of the results. It’s easier, quicker, more accurate. It’s routine to ask for a copy.
References :
Have seen a couple of articles recommending the above.