How to get the most from your appointment

Specific guidelines prior to your visit, based on topic:

ear: [infection | hearing loss | balance | tinnitus/ear noise]

aesthetic: [nose | eye]

swelling/lump/mass: [mass or growth in general | thyroid | parathyroid | oral tumor]

mouth & throat: [general| oral cavity | swallowing | voice | child tonsil/adenoid]

Since the first part of an office visit is gathering information, the ready availability of the relevant information allows your doctor to make a better assessment and set of recommendations. Practically speaking, some preparation on the patient’s part prior to the visit can be of significant benefit.

I recommend that you 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. The front desk staff can make copies so you keep the original documents.

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 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 (such as a sinus CT scan).  Dr. Lansford needs two parts: the images themselves, burned onto a CD, and 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 identification and 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."

You need not have an empty stomach before your appointment unless specifically told to do so.