How to Make the Most of Your Eye and ENT Appointment

Going to the doctor is a necessary part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but for some it is a thing to avoid. Hesitancy towards making appointments, especially for your eyes, ears, nose, and throat, has led the way for a few potential patients to use online aids and material to diagnose themselves.

A few of CEENTA’s physicians are here to shed some light on why healthcare hesitancy happens, the pros and cons of researching symptoms, and how you can make your next appointment more enjoyable.

Why do some patients avoid going to the doctor?

Going to the doctor is an investment in your health, but it is also an investment in your time. Dr. Lee Wiley, a CEENTA ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon from our Pineville and Steele Creek offices, elaborates more on this concept. “I think patients are sometime hesitant to go to the doctor due to personal schedule restraints and ease of access to information online.” However, the issue could be deeper than time constraints. “When health problems arise in a patient, many people fear the worst. They may not want to see a physician due to concern of a serious diagnosis. While most health problems are self-limited or easy to treat, some may not be,” remarked Dr. Jonathan Moss, a CEENTA otolaryngologist from our Matthews location.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of symptom research?

The age of internet connectivity and social media has made knowledge accessible like never before, all with the click of a button. This includes medical information from shared blog posts to full research projects about a litany of diseases and conditions. Dr. Timothy Kelly, a CEENTA ENT specialist from Fort Mill, can see a potential upside to symptom research. “There’s not a direct issue with websites, just as long as patients are careful about what they find and temper expectations.”

This research can be supplemental to an appointment but should not take the place of it. According to Dr. Wiley, “One of the drawbacks to self-diagnosing eye conditions from information found online are that many eye conditions present in a similar fashion and symptoms of different conditions often overlap. For example, there are many different causes for blurry vision, eye redness, and pain ranging anywhere from glaucoma to infections. Depending on the reason, the treatment may vary widely!” Dr. Moss elaborates both salient points by saying, “Sites such as WebMD are good at giving general information on symptoms, and when optimally used can help educate patients on a given diagnosis. However, typing your symptoms into a medical site or google search bar cannot give you a diagnosis.”

What mindset should a patient have before going into an appointment?

Once you take that first step in scheduling your appointment, it’s natural to feel some level of anxiety. After all, you’re looking for answers to a personal problem. Yet it’s important to know that your doctors are there for you and to approach the appointment with optimism. “My advice is for patients to come in with an open mind. Our physicians are here to take care of you and help rule out the list of conditions you may think you have for those that you actually do,” Dr. Kelly explains. Dr. Wiley shares these sentiments and adds, “Be sure to voice any specific concerns you may have. It also helps to come prepared with questions.”

Whether it’s an eye appointment, allergy test, hearing check-up, or surgical evaluation, CEENTA’s team of board-certified physicians are available to put your mind at ease and help you experience a better way of life. Schedule your next eye and ENT appointment with CEENTA today with our online scheduling tool or by using your myCEENTAchart account. 

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. New patients can make appointments online with our eye and ENT doctors in North and South Carolina. Current patients can also make appointments through myCEENTAchart with physicians they have already seen.