Healthwise Self-Care Checklist: Do I Need to Go to the Doctor?
Overview
For some minor health problems, you may not be sure whether to seek care, try self-care at home, or wait to see if the problem goes away. You can ask yourself a few questions and use a 4-step process to help you decide what action to take.
How can you make a plan for taking action?
These steps can help you make a plan for taking action.
- Observe the problem.
- When did it start? What are the symptoms?
- If you have pain, is it a dull ache or stabbing pain? Is it constant, or does it go away and come back? Is it related to certain movements or activities?
- Measure your vital signs: temperature, pulse, breaths (respiration rate), and blood pressure.
- Think back:
- Have you had this problem before?
- What did you do for it?
- Have there been any recent changes in your life (such as stress, medicines, food, exercise)?
- Does anyone else at home or work have these symptoms?
- How concerned are you about the problem?
- Learn more about it.
- Check the Healthwise Knowledgebase.
- What do other articles or books say about the problem?
- Do you have a helpline you can call? Do you have a primary care doctor you can contact?
- What advice or opinions have other people (lay or professional) offered to you?
- Make an action plan.
- What do you think is wrong?
- How soon do you think you need to act?
- What have you decided to do about it? Do you need to act at all?
- Evaluate your progress.
- Are you getting better or worse?
- Do you still have any concerns?
Credits
Current as of: October 24, 2023
Current as of: October 24, 2023