Tips for Good Communication With Your Doctor

[Guest guest]

Tips for Good Communication With Your Doctor

A basic plan can help you communicate better with your doctor, whether you are

starting with a new doctor or continuing with the doctor you've been visiting.

The following tips can help you and your doctor build a partnership.

Getting Ready for Your Appointment

Be prepared: make a list of your concerns -- Before going to the doctor, make a

list of what you want to discuss. For example, are you having a new symptom you

want to tell the doctor about? Did you want to get a flu shot or pneumonia

vaccine?

If you have more than a few items to discuss, put them in order so you are sure

to ask about the most important ones first. Take along any information the

doctor or staff may need such as insurance cards, names of your other doctors,

or your medical records. Some doctors suggest you put all your medicines in a

bag and bring them with you, others recommend bringing a list of medications you

take.

Make sure you can see and hear as well as possible -- Many older people use

glasses or need aids for hearing. Remember to take your eyeglasses to the

doctor's visit. If you have a hearing aid, make sure that it is working well,

and

wear it. Let the doctor and staff know if you have a hard time seeing or

hearing. For example, you may want to say, " My hearing makes it hard to

understand everything you're saying. It helps a lot when you speak slowly. "

Consider bringing a family member or friend -- Sometimes it is helpful to bring

a family member or close friend with you. Let your family member or friend know

in advance what you want from your visit. The person can remind you what you

planned to discuss with the doctor if you forget, and can help you remember what

the doctor said.

Plan to update the doctor -- Think of any important information you need to

share with your doctor about things that have happened since your last visit. If

you have been treated in the emergency room, tell the doctor right away. Mention

any changes you have noticed in your appetite, weight, sleep, or energy level.

Alsotell the doctor about any recent changes in the medication you take or the

effect it has had on you.

Your doctor may ask you how your life is going. This isn't just polite talk or

an

attempt to be nosy. Information about what's happening in your life may be

useful medically. Let the doctor know about any major changes or stresses in

your life, such as a divorce or the death of a loved one. You don't have to go

into detail; you may just want to say something like, " I thought it might be

helpful for you to know that my sister passed away since my last visit with

you, " or " I had to sell my home and move in with my daughter. "

Summary: Getting Ready for Your Appointment

Be prepared: make a list of concerns

Make sure you can see and hear as well as possible

Consider bringing a family member or friend

Plan to update the doctor

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this Mark. It came at a great time. sees the

regular GI doc Thursday and I can't go along (of course he has told me

that for a long time now) but he thinks he knows everything there is

to know and he does everything the right way.

Now, me the dumb mother just reads way too much on the internet and I

need to relax and back off. He knows what he is doing. So, I'll go

over this and send it " just in case he may forget something "

Also heard people with spleen stuff going on should have a meningitis

vaccine and with all his STUFF, it might be something he should

address. Wanted to mention that along with the flu shots etc.

Thanks Mark, your timing is perfect.

..

[Guest guest]

Glad I could help .....I hope this finds you and yours well......Mark

Re: Tips for Good Communication With Your Doctor

> Thanks for this Mark. It came at a great time. sees the

> regular GI doc Thursday and I can't go along (of course he has told me

> that for a long time now) but he thinks he knows everything there is

> to know and he does everything the right way.

>

> Now, me the dumb mother just reads way too much on the internet and I

> need to relax and back off. He knows what he is doing. So, I'll go

> over this and send it " just in case he may forget something "

> Also heard people with spleen stuff going on should have a meningitis

> vaccine and with all his STUFF, it might be something he should

> address. Wanted to mention that along with the flu shots etc.

> Thanks Mark, your timing is perfect.

> .

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