Talking With Your Doctor

Why talking with your doctor matters

Good communication is an important part of the healing process.

When a doctor and patient work as a team, they're more likely to achieve better health outcomes.

♦ How well you and your doctor talk to each other is one of the most important parts of getting good health care.

But talking with your doctor isn't always easy. It takes time and effort on your part as well as your doctor's.

This means asking questions if the doctor's explanations or instructions are unclear. You need to mention problems even if the doctor doesn't ask. And be sure to let your doctor know if you have concerns about a particular treatment or change in your daily life.

♦ Taking an active role in your health care puts the responsibility for good communication on both you and your doctor.

All of this is true at any age. When you're older, it becomes even more important to talk often and comfortably with your doctor. That's partly because you may have more health conditions to discuss.

♦ Your health has a big impact on your life, and that needs to be talked about.

What do I need to tell my doctor?

Be prepared to:

• Share any symptoms

• Give information about your medications

• Tell the doctor about your lifestyle and habits

Explain what is wrong

A symptom could be evidence of a disease or disorder in the body. Examples of symptoms include pain, fever, a lump or bump, unexplained weight loss or gain, or having a hard time sleeping.

• Going to the bathroom a lot at night is a common concern, so don't be afraid to talk about it.

Be clear and brief when describing your symptoms. Your description helps the doctor identify the problem.

♦ A physical exam and medical tests provide valuable information, but your symptoms point the doctor in the right direction.

Your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms. Think about your symptoms:

• When did they start?

• How long do they last?

• How often do they occur?

• Do they interfere with your daily activities?

• Do they seem to be getting worse or better?

• Has anyone else in your family ever had anything like this?

• Is there anything you do that makes them better or worse?

♦ Take the time to write some notes about your symptoms before you visit the doctor. The doctor needs to know what you're experiencing and how you feel.

When you visit the doctor, pay attention to the questions your doctor asks. Just as important is how well your doctor listens to your answers.

♦ Studies have found doctors often interrupt patients within the first 11 to 18 seconds of explaining why they came in. Many patients never get to finish their story.

We like to excuse doctors because they're pressed for time, so we try not to talk too much. The truth is, good doctors take the time to listen before deciding what may be wrong with you. And then they take more time to explain what they want to do to try to help you.

If your doctor doesn't do this, you should hurry up and find a new doctor.

What medications are you taking?

Medicines can interact and cause unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effects. Your doctor needs to know about ALL the medicines you take. Prepare a list or bring everything with you when you visit.

♦ Be sure to include over-the-counter drugs such as cold medicines. Herbal medicines, supplements and diet pills need to be listed. Don't forget vitamins. Make a note of how often you take each.

Describe any drug allergies or reactions you can remember. Tell which medications work best for you and which don't.

Write down the phone number of the pharmacy you prefer to use. This is very important, since most insurance plans have preferred pharmacies.

♦ Each time you visit your doctor, be sure to ask if you still need to be on all your medications.

What about your habits?

To provide the best care, your doctor must understand you as a person and know what your life is like. The doctor may ask about:

• Where you live

• What you eat

• How you sleep

• What you do each day

• What activities you enjoy

• What your sex life is like

• Whether you smoke or drink

• Any major changes or stresses in your life

Try to be open and honest with your doctor. You don't have to go into great detail. It will help your doctor understand you, your lifestyle and your medical conditions more fully before recommending the best treatment for you.

Make the most of your visit

• Bring your top concerns first. Visits are short. Start with what worries you most.

• Bring someone with you if you can. A second set of ears helps, especially with a new diagnosis.

• Take notes, or ask if you can record the conversation on your phone.

• Repeat it back. Say, "So what I heard is…" This catches misunderstandings before you leave.

• Ask for a written summary. Most offices can give you an after-visit summary, or post one to your patient portal.

• Ask for an interpreter if you need one. Most doctors' offices must provide one for free.

Use your patient portal

Most doctors' offices now have an online patient portal or app. You can use it to send your doctor a message, request refills, check test results and read your visit notes.

♦ Thanks to federal rules, test results often show up in your portal right away, sometimes before your doctor has seen them. Don't panic over a result you don't understand. Send a message or call your doctor's office.

• Some offices now charge for longer portal messages that turn into medical advice. Ask your doctor's office about their policy.