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 The
key to a good physician-patient relationship is trust and communication.
While you may have great confidence in your doctor’s ability, you
must also feel comfortable enough to voice your questions and concerns.
The following tips may encourage valuable information sharing between
you and your physician:
- Make a list of any new symptoms or any observations you have made,
even if they seem insignificant. For example, “I’ve had a
cough for two weeks” and “I’ve noticed that I cough most
when I work in the yard.”
- Begin by asking your doctor when he or she would like for you to
ask your questions.
- Mention any medications you are currently using or have recently
taken.
- Repeat what your doctor tells you to be certain that you understand
it.
- If you are unclear about what your doctor is explaining, be sure
to say, “I don’t understand what you are saying” or “I
don’t understand why I need to do that.”
- Set the stage for any subject that may embarrass you by saying, “This
is really difficult for me to talk about.”
- Try not to apologize in advance by starting with, “I know this
is silly, but…”
- If, after your visit, you have remaining unanswered questions or don’t
remember what instructions were given to you , be sure to call back
for clarification.
- When you have trouble talking with your doctor more than one or two
times, you might consider taking a friend or relative with you who could
say, “We have some other concerns…”
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