Joy In The Moment
Don’t Worry Until YOUR Health Care Provider Tells You to Worry
By Joy Pape, FNP-C
The easy availability of so much ‘health’ information can often lead to trouble. Meaning it can lead to a lot of worry and fear, including self-diagnosing something that is most likely incorrect.
Often the patient gets laboratory, imaging or other test results before the Health Care Provider (HCP) gets them and has the chance to look at and evaluate them.
Here’s some wisdom to share with you to help you if this happens to you.
— Remind yourself that when you get results your HCP may not have even seen them and had the chance to evaluate them.
— Do not go online to try to figure it out yourself. Doing so may give you false information or information you don’t understand which can cause you to worry even more.
A wise physician told me, “You may receive the results before I do. Please give me time to review and I’ll get back to you with what you need to know and do.” These words have helped me personally and taught me to teach others the same.
If you are concerned about a result, give your HCP some time to review the information. If you haven’t heard in a few days to a week, reach out and ask. If there is something urgent in the report, your HCP will most likely get that result and reach out to you right away.
Remember, worry is often related to the future, not the “now.” Rather than fear and worry about something you don’t know about. To have some peace and joy in the moment, remind yourself not to worry unless your health care provider tells you to worry.
Joy Pape is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
