What do I do if my doctor gave me a prescription for medicine? Information for teenagers

in #steemiteducation5 years ago

Some things in life we do not give any thought to, mostly because our parents take care of it.  But then suddenly, before you know it you are done with school and considered an adult and you realize how many things there are that you do not know how to do it.  

It is always a good idea to take responsibility for your own situation and things that need sorting out, because that way you will learn a lot about 'real life'.

                  

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So you are sick and had to visit the doctor.  He determined that you will need certain medication and gives you a prescription.  So what now.  Are you going to ask your mom to get you the pills or are you going to sort it out yourself?  Lets see what you need to do....

It all starts before the doctor writes the prescription.  It is your responsibility to tell the doctor if you use any other medications.  Some medications can interfere with one another, so tell him, even if it is a vitamin or birth control pill you take every day.  You also need to tell him if you are using any drugs or alcohol.

You may think your doctor will judge you or tell your parent what you tell him, but there is something like doctor patient privilege and the doctor will honor this.

Physician–patient privilege is a legal concept, related to medical confidentiality, that protects communications between a patient and his or her doctor from being used against the patient in court. It is a part of the rules of evidence in many common law jurisdictions. 

                  

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 Patient confidentiality is one of the most important pillars of medicine. Protecting the private details of a patient is not just a matter of moral respect, it is essential in retaining the important bond of trust between the doctor and the individual 

Once you have your prescription you need to go to the pharmacy of your choice.  

First of all if you have medical insurance, you need to find out if they cover all the prescribed medication.  Some medication will have to be approved by the insurance and the doctor or pharmacist will have to phone them to get that done.  Once they have approved it you can collect it.

If it is your first time at the pharmacy, they will need to add your information on the computer, so they will need to know your name, address and if you have a medical aid, the member number.  Make sure you have your card with you and have all the correct info ready.

After the prescription is filled the pharmacist or assistant will inform you how and when to drink the pills.  Do not worry too much that you will forget this, because they will also put a sticker on the meds telling you how many times and how many pills you have to take.

It is always a good idea to read the information sheet on the inside of the pills, just to make sure how it works and if you are not on any medication that may interfere with it and you did not tell your doctor about.

If you have any questions about any of the medication, you can also ask your pharmacist.  They have a vast knowledge of medication.

If you experience any side effects from the meds, do not hesitate to contact your doctor or pharmacist.

And there you have it, without a lot of hassle, you have taken some responsibility and filled your prescription.

                                           

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