Preparing for Your Child's First Appointment
How to Prepare
Before you and your child arrive at Dana-Farber for
your first visit, you will have already received a letter and/or packet of information
from your new patient coordinator, explaining where to go and what to bring. Please
read this information carefully.
In addition, here are some
general tips to help your first appointment go smoothly.
Before your appointment
Obtain approval from your insurance company. If your
child's visit will be paid for by health insurance, you may need to obtain approval
ahead of time. Please contact your insurance company to make sure any necessary
documents are in place. If you do not have insurance and/or have questions,
please call our financial counselors at 617-632-3455.
Gather any necessary items. Many patients are surprised by
the amount of preparation needed for the first appointment. Cancer is a complex
illness, and every case is different; it's important for us to have as much
information about your case as possible.
In some cases, you will be asked
to bring pathology slides, medical records, or radiology films to your first
appointment. In other cases, you will be asked to send them in advance.
Fill out paperwork ahead of time. You may have received
several documents to fill out, such as a medication list, patient history form,
or questionnaire about your illness. Be sure to complete them and bring them
with you.
Know where you’re going. Review maps and directions so
you will feel confident about your journey, especially if your destination is
unfamiliar. You can find information about places to eat, places to stay,
driving directions and parking details in our Planning a Visit section.
Think about the questions you want to ask. Some
people want to know everything about their child's diagnosis, while others just want to
know the basic facts. Read tips for talking with your doctor about your
child's treatment.
On the day of your first appointment
What to bring
Please make sure you have with
you the items listed in your packet, which may include radiology films, your patient
health history form, and insurance cards. You might also like to bring along a
book, magazine, games, or laptop to help you and your child pass the time while waiting. Dana-Farber has
wireless internet access.
Arriving for your appointment
If your appointment is at Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund Clinic, please use the Dana-Farber parking garage, under Dana-Farber's Yawkey Center for Cancer Care. You can enter the garage from Jimmy Fund Way. A limited number of spots are reserved for families of pediatric patients on level three of the parking garage.
Please plan to check in at least 30 minutes before your child's appointment time.
You will receive a privacy
notice, a patient identification card, and a handbook outlining all the
services available to your child as a patient. You will also be asked to sign several
forms.
How long will the visit take
You should plan to spend two to
three hours for your first visit.
If you have general questions about Dana-Farber resources
at the Longwood campus, such as how to find a support group or where to get a
cup of coffee, drop by the Concierge desk located in the lobby of the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care at 450 Brookline Avenue.
During your visit, you or a family member might like to
visit the chapel, cafeteria, or resource centers.
What your visit includes
On your first day, you will meet
with the health care professionals involved in your child's care, who will review your
child's medical records and health history, and give your child a physical examination. They
will answer any questions and discuss treatment options.
Your child's first appointment will be
tailored to his or her specific medical needs, and he or she may be scheduled to see more
than one physician.
Our specialists work as a team
to evaluate and treat patients with all types of cancers and related diseases.
Our goal is to provide an expert evaluation and the most advanced care
possible.
Specialists involved in your
care may include:
- Medical
oncologists, who specialize in administering anti-cancer
drugs (chemotherapy)
- Surgical
oncologists, who perform various surgical procedures.
- Radiation
oncologists, who use radiation to destroy cancer cells.
- Other
specialists such as pathologists, radiologists, nurses,
nutritionists, and social workers.
Learn more about the roles of members of your child's care team
Getting the most out of your visit
Here are some tips to guide your first and subsequent visits:
- Communicate with your child's health care team. You are an important member of your child's health care team. Your child's doctors and nurses know a lot about the disease, but you know a lot about your own child. Share your fears and concerns, and feel free to ask questions or have something explained again.
- Consider bringing along another family member or friend. Having support may help you make better choices when you meet with your child's doctor or nurse.
- Listen carefully. Take notes when your doctor or nurse explains something, or ask your companion to do so. You might want to bring along a notebook and pen, voice recorder, laptop computer, or portable electronic device to help keep track of key information. If you'd like to record the session, you will need verbal permission from your clinician and anyone else participating in the conversation.
- Jot down the names of your child's health care team and office staff.
- Bring your child's ID cards. Keep your insurance card and blue hospital cards with you at all times.
- Know what, if any drugs your child takes. Make a list of all medications your child takes and any allergies he or she has. Update this list often and carry it with you to share with your health care team.
- Try to be on time for appointments. Plan enough time for traffic delays (especially during the Red Sox season) and parking. Checking in at least 30 minutes before your first appointment and 15 minutes before subsequent appointments can help ensure that your child and other patients are seen promptly throughout the day.
Going home
Once your child's appointment has ended, take a moment to recognize
that this first step is over. If you choose to continue your care at
Dana-Farber, your next visit will feel much easier, because you’ll know your
way, your child's care team will be familiar, and you’ll have a plan for moving
forward.