Talking to Your Doctor
You are in a health partnership with your doctor so you need to be an active participant in your care. Here are a few tips for communicating more effectively:
- Be organized. Come to the doctor's office prepared with information about your symptoms, how long you have had them and what – if anything – you've done to treat them at home. Also be prepared to list what medications you take and to describe you your lifestyle and habits.
- Prepare a list of your questions about your symptoms or condition. Check off the questions as the doctor or nurse answers them so you know you have covered everything.
- Consider taking a family member or trusted friend to your appointment with you – even into the exam room – and ask them to be an extra pair of ears. Often under stress it helps to have someone else listen to the doctor's instructions and fill in details you may have missed.
- Make sure you provide your doctor with complete information about your condition – don't hold back. This may mean relating personal information, but it is in your best interest to help the doctor determine the best course of treatment.
- Take notes and mark items that you want to follow up on before you finish your visit.
- Don't be rushed. Ask plenty of questions and feel confident that you understand the answers. Ask the doctor to explain the answer in a way that you can understand.
- Explore all treatment possibilities together to arrive at an educated decision about your treatment plan.
- Before your appointment is over, briefly repeat to the doctor what was said to make sure you have understood and your notes are accurate.
- Comply with the agreed-upon treatment. If it is not working, inform your doctor as soon as possible.
- Be assertive, but not aggressive, to make sure the doctor is meeting your needs.
- Before or after your appointment, consider researching your condition or treatment independently.