Hospital Advice: How to Effectively Talk to Your Doctor
Are you worried about your health, have questions about your condition and want to talk to your doctor, in a way that you don’t know how? Do you have numerous questions that you want to ask, but are afraid you’ll take up too much of his time?
Does the mere thought of asking questions about your medical condition make you feel anxious? That’s very normal. So take a deep breath and read on.
During your hospital stay, it’s very important, even critical to successfully communicate with your doctor about your condition. Effective communication is critical to your health and well being during your hospital stay, and plays an important role in your efforts to get well.
Your doctor is very busy, and you’re sick, not feeling well, in pain, discomfort, in the hospital, seemingly uprooted from your familiar daily life.
If you prefer, you can designate a family member or friend to talk to your doctor on your behalf.
Doctors are very busy, unfortunately, overworked, and while he or she would probably like to spend more time with you and each and every patient, it is important to be prepared and spend your time with your physician wisely and efficiently.
Communication Tips:
Before you see your doctor again, write down all of your questions, or have your patient advocate ask them. If he or she is too busy to answer at the time-call Ask about the results of your diagnostic examinations, blood and urine tests, biopsies, x-rays, scans, etc. If you don’t understand the answer, ask the doctor to explain clearly.
1. Write down all of your questions and your doctor’s response, or have a recorder
2. If your doctor is too busy to answer all of them once ask a few one day, then the rest the next
3. Enlist the assistance of your nurse
4. Call your doctor’s office and leave your questions with his nurse or staff
5. Have your questions faxed
6. Don’t give up
If you feel all of your questions weren’t answered by your doctor, be honest and share them.
Also, you can ask your nurse to contact your physician on your behave or have your advocate call the office.
Help your doctor to help you!
Remember, this is your body and your desire to get well that is most important.
Learn more about how to get well . Stop by Elaine R. Ferguson, MD’s site where you can find out all about holistic medicine and what it can do for you.
