Arthritis patients require relief from their pain. They also require direction when it comes to medications.

Since these patients are often seen by multiple physicians and are receiving multiple medications, clear and direct information about how to manage their medications is important.

Here are some useful tips.

Safety In the Doctor’s Office…

• Keep a list of medicines you are taking (Rx, OTC, herbals)

• Bring a list of your medications to show the doctor

• Describe bad medication reactions you have had in the past

• Understand what your medications are for and their effects

• Understand how to talk them (e.g., how many, how often, what to do if a dose is missed)

• Write down how to take your medications. Know the doseage!

• Double-check to make sure you have enough medications to last to next visit

• Understand what bad reactions might occur from your medications and when to call the doctor

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions or express concerns

Safety in the Home

• Ask family members to help you remember to take your medications

• Don’t run out of your regular medications

• Read the Rx label each time you take your medication

• Don’t take medications in darkness

• Follow the doctor’s directions – if not, tell the doctor why you are taking them differently

• Store medications out of reach of children – do not refer to medications as “candy”

• Avoid using someone else’s prescription medication

• Call your doctor if you think you are having a bad reaction to your medication

If you are a doctor, you are most likely to face a malpractice suit.
There can be situations when your patient is not satisfied with the results. In that case, you are likely to face problems. Sometimes doctors get into problems when they are not even guilty of the act.

In malpractice suits, the relationship with the patients plays a very important role.
If the doctor tries to become more attentive for the patient, these kinds of cases can be avoided easily. If a patient develops a grudge against any doctor, he can sue the doctor. So, to avoid such situations, it is better to follow some rules.

Pay more attention to your patients.

Try to be very friendly and caring.

Give your patient an overview of how you have planned his treatment.

The friendlier and caring you become, the better are the prospects for a doctor.

If there could be any situation for any adverse effect while treatment, doctor must inform the patient. This can be proved to be very helpful if a patient sues the doctor later on.

Always prepare a detailed medical report for every patient. This report should be given to patients as well. This report should be clear with what has happened with the patient.

In very rare cases only, a doctor withholds the necessary information from the patients.
So, as a doctor, always be prepared for a possible lawsuit against you.
The best way, as described earlier to avoid such situations is that try to be friendly and caring for your patients and be very clear about the medical treatment.