That Wasn't So Bad Now, Was It?Many of the tests your doctor orders for you today are less intrusive and more comfortable than the older, less accurate tests they have replaced.
A simple blood test, for example, is often preferred over a digital rectal exam in screening for prostate cancer. Many of the people taking the drug coumadin can now be monitored with a finger-stick prothombin time test instead of undergoing repeated venipuncture; complete blood counts and platelet counts may also be obtained with a finger-stick. A variety of specimen collection equipment has also been designed with patient comfort in mind. Many people with veins that are small, scarred, or difficult to access, for example, have a more positive experience when a butterfly needle is used.
Don’t hesitate to request a modification or a different approach that better suits your needs. You can expect that the health professionals responsible for collecting the sample have been trained to be sensitive to the needs of apprehensive patients and people with special needs. They have some proven strategies to help you and are usually willing to listen to you to determine what will work best in a situation.
Understanding what will happen, communicating your needs to the health care professionals assisting you, employing simple relaxation techniques, and knowing how to take care of any minor physical pains will help the apprehensive individual be most comfortable and prepared for a medical test. Now, the next time your doctor orders some "routine tests," you can take comfort in knowing the routine.
