Communicating With Your Doctor

Published by admin March 17th, 2008 in Protect Yourself and Working With Your Doctor.
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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.

  • Think about what you want to discuss with your doctor during the visit. Write down any questions you have, and either ask them during the visit or present the list to your doctor. If you think all of your issues cannot be discussed during the length of a regular visit, make this clear when you schedule the appointment.
  • Jot down any symptoms/health care concerns that you have. The more specific you can be, the more you will help your doctor make a diagnosis. Be sure to include:
    • What the symptoms are
    • When the symptoms started
    • What the symptoms feel like (try to be as specific as possible)
    • Any lifestyle changes you made when the symptoms started (for example, starting a new job, changing your diet, starting an exercise program, travel, a new stress in your life)
    • If the symptoms have gotten better or worse, and whether they’re constant or they come and go
    • What triggers the symptoms (for example, certain foods or activities) or makes them worse
    • Anything that relieves the symptoms (for example, medications or rest)
    • If anyone in your family has or had similar symptoms
  • Be prepared to tell your doctor all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and other supplements. Write down all the relevant information, such as how much you take (the dose) and how often you take it. Or you may prefer to take your medications in their original containers to your appointment with you.
  • Be honest with your doctor about your lifestyle, including your diet, alcohol intake, smoking history, supplements you take, and other care you receive. These factors are important to your overall health, and your doctor needs the big picture.
  • Pay attention to what your doctor tells you, and follow his or her directions exactly. You can’t expect your doctor’s treatment to be successful if you don’t take prescribed medications and follow his or her advice.

What You Should Expect From Your Doctor

As part of the doctor-patient relationship, it is important that a doctor communicate well with their patients. Your doctor should:

  • Explain things so that you understand them. This includes information about your condition, any tests you need, and any procedures you may undergo.
  • Take the time to answer your questions thoroughly, and make sure that you are satisfied with the answers.
  • Give you specific instructions for treating your condition and taking any medications that are prescribed. He or she should also tell you when you should return for a follow-up visit, if necessary.
  • Return your phone calls in a reasonable amount of time.
  • Treat you with respect.
  • Know about the latest advances in medicine and be able to answer your questions about them.

Resolving Communication Problems

Even the best of relationships can have communication problems from time to time. It’s worth the effort to resolve communication issues with your doctor if you are otherwise happy with his or her performance. Having an established relationship with a doctor is valuable, and working through communication problems is often preferable to starting over with another doctor.

If you aren’t getting the answers or information you need

Perhaps your doctor isn’t explaining things well or seems to brush off your concerns. Maybe you feel rushed and can’t get to everything you want to discuss.

  • Your doctor may not realize that you don’t understand. Make sure he or she knows that you need more explanation. Don’t hesitate to ask additional questions to get the information you need.
  • Sometimes a medical problem seems minor to your doctor, and he or she may simply tell you not to worry. If you need more information, say so. Tell your doctor that you need an explanation in order to leave the office feeling satisfied.
  • If you feel rushed during an appointment, tell your doctor that you don’t feel you’ve been given a chance to discuss everything. Doctors, like everyone else, are often pressed for time, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to help. Perhaps he or she can set aside more time for you or schedule a phone call in the near future.

CrisisID can help you keep all of your questions and concerns together until you go to your scheduled appointment. Just print out all the information you have been keeping up to date and take it with you. Maybe you forgot it in all the haste of getting ready. Never fear. CrisisID is available over any internet site. Just have them download your information from their computer by using your pin number. Information at the touch of a button with all the security you expect from CrisisID.