Communicate Better With Your Doctor
How to talk to your doctor:
You shouldn’t be intimidated by your doctor or leave the doctor’s office with unresolved questions.
In our office, we try to answer the 5 most important questions for patients.
- What’s wrong?
- Can you fix it?
- How long will it take?
- How much will it cost?
- Have you done it on anyone else?
Here are a few tips on how to improve your communication with your doctor.
- Find a doctor that you like. If you dislike your doctor, it's hard to communicate with them
- Write down your medical history- what are your symptoms, what treatments have you done, what treatments would you like to try, and what are your expectations?
- What are the questions you have for the doctor? Bring a list of questions with you.
- Make a list of the medications, vitamins, and supplements you’re currently taking.
- Make a daily review of your life- including your sleep habits, diet, exercise, etc.
- Bring someone with you to your appointment. They can help ask questions, listen to the doctor's recommendations, and be your accountability partner.
- Ask questions and be a researcher into your own health.
Ask this question: If I was your niece, sister, wife, or close friend, what would you do for them?
Asking the question this way changes the frame of mind of the answer, and you’re more likely to get a detailed response.
If you go to your doctor's office prepared with questions, your medical history, and your expectations you’ll walk out of the doctor's office with more answers and less confusion on how to help your health.
