Good communication with your doctor is an important part of your health care. If you cannot communicate your needs and concerns, or your doctor cannot clearly communicate information to you, your health care will suffer. Both you and your doctor must make the effort to talk openly and effectively.
What You Should Do to Prepare for Visits to Your Doctor
Before you step foot in your doctor’s office, take some time to prepare for the visit. This increases your chances of leaving the appointment well informed and satisfied with the care you received. Continue reading ‘Communicating With Your Doctor’
Ensuring patient safety is a national priority, and everyone involved in the health care system has a role, including the patient. Patients can help make their health care experience safer by becoming active, involved and informed members of the health care team. Research shows that patients who take part in decisions about their health care are more likely to have better outcomes. The more information patients have about health care, the better they can make decisions about what is best for them. Continue reading ‘Patients Have Important Role in Safer Health Care’
Published by admin March 17th, 2008
in Working With Your Doctor.
Are you facing surgery? You are not alone. Millions of Americans have surgery each year. Most operations are not emergencies. This means you have time to ask your surgeon questions about the operation and time to decide whether to have it, and if so, when and where. The information presented here does not apply to emergency surgery.The most important questions to ask about elective surgery are why the procedure is necessary for you and what alternatives there are to surgery. If you do not need to have the operation, then you can avoid any risks that might result. All surgeries and alternative treatments have risks and benefits. They are only worth doing if the benefits are greater than the risks. Continue reading ‘Questions To Ask Your Doctor Before You Have Surgery’
Published by admin December 13th, 2007
in Working With Your Doctor.
If you were to have surgery, how much would you want to know about the doctor you were going to entrust your life to? All surgery has risks, but the better the surgeon, the lower those risks may be. Here is what to look for to get the best care possible.
A decision to have surgery should not be taken lightly; nor should the selection of a surgeon. The quality of your life after surgery or even your chances of survival may hinge upon the choice you make. Unfortunately, many people simply accept their family doctor’s referral without doing any research on their own. If you need to have an operation, take some time to shop around for the best surgeon. The tips below will help you get started. Continue reading ‘Selecting The Right Surgeon’
Published by admin December 13th, 2007
in Working With Your Doctor.
You have many expectations for your doctor. You want them to have an extensive education and background. They should listen, communicate clearly and treat you with respect. You may also seek someone who is conveniently located – and covered by your health plan.
But how can you find the doctor with the best combination of those qualities? How will you know when you’ve found her or him?
It’s an important decision, so spend some time selecting a doctor before an urgent need arrives. In this section, you’ll review several factors to consider when you review the many options. Continue reading ‘Selecting A Doctor’
Published by admin December 13th, 2007
in Working With Your Doctor.
A generation or two ago, people relied on General Practitioners (GPs) for all their medical needs, from treating colds, hayfever, and backaches to setting broken arms and delivering babies. The kindly, competent GP knew the medical histories of every member of a patient’s family because he treated them all. Today, Primary-Care Physicians are bringing this tradition back. Find out why you and your family may want a PCP and how to choose one. Continue reading ‘Primary Care Physicians’
Published by admin December 13th, 2007
in Working With Your Doctor.
If you feel comfortable with your doctor, you’re more likely to take an active role with your personal healthcare – and achieve better results.
View yourself and your doctor as a partnership dedicated to your health and wellness. One key is effective communication throughout every phase of your professional relationship. Continue reading ‘Communicating With Your Doctor’
Published by admin December 13th, 2007
in Working With Your Doctor.
Medical Author: Melissa Stoppler, M.D.
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP, FACR
Doctors spend on average only a few minutes with each patient they see for routine examinations. (Of course, there is often time out of the exam room that is spent reviewing the chart and records.) The experience can be both confusing and frustrating when communication on one or both sides is lacking, particularly if you’re presented with new information to process or new instructions to follow. Continue reading ‘Getting the Most from Your Doctor’s Appointment’
