Re: A Couple of Thoughts on Talking to Docs

[Guest guest]

> Secondly, I read in a Good Housekeeping story that many doctors will

only let you talk about 18 seconds before they interrupt you. (Time is

limited, so they don't want you to talk on and on

This is so strange! Just tonight my mom gave me a copy of her AARP

bulletin to read a specific story called " Talking back to your doctor

Works. " And they said pretty much the same thing.....i quote " Doctors

typically will listen to a patient's " opening statement " little more

than 23 seconds before changing the subject or " redirecting " the talk. "

More:

" Medical authorities are coming to the view that patients themselves

must be more assertive in the doctor-patient relationship. Studies

show that doectors remember best the cases of assertive patients. (I

wonder what they think about assertive spouses? *G*)

" Patients can do some things on their own to improve communication.

First, keep in mind that doctors are under growing pressure to see many

patients and may not have time for idle chit-chat, even friendly

converstaion. That measn you must get to the point fast. Start before

you get to the doctor's office. think about how you're feeling, what

is bothering you and what you want. "

It was a long article, and quite interesting. Anyone interested can

email me and I will scan it and send.

Wendi