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Your visit with an orthopaedic surgeon is an important meeting that can be most effective if you plan ahead. It's important that you give your doctor the information he or she needs and that you understand what your doctor is recommending. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care get better results. Lack of communication is a primary reason for medical errors. The following checklist will help you and your doctor discuss the issues most important for getting the most out of the visit.

Your orthopaedic surgeon needs the following information about your usual dietary supplement usage. Please complete all sections completely and accurately. Many supplements may cause negative drug interaction effects. The patient and physician should carefully review checked items in light of prescribed medications and/or planned procedures

Medical errors are rare and preventable. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is committed to ensuring patient safety and to decreasing medical errors. Good communication is vital to the physician-patient relationship. Patients need to know about simple but effective ways to ensure that medical errors don't occur.

Good communication with patients has always been essential in orthopaedic practice. It is the "cornerstone" of the physician-patient relationship. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) urges orthopaedic surgeons to use patient-focused communication skills during their direct patient encounters.

Orthopaedic surgeons are being urged to become more vigilant to signs of family violence among their patients in hospital emergency rooms and their offices. Many abuse victims come to hospital emergency rooms complaining of musculoskeletal problems and othopaedic surgeons often are the first physicians to treat and talk to them about their injuries.

Powerpoint presentation by Dr. Paul Mendis, M.D, and Shani A. Dowd, B.A., L.C.S.W.