Try practicing with a friend or family member. If you feel nervous
about going back to your health care professional, try practicing what
you want to say with a friend or family member. It may also help to take
someone along with you on your visits to your health care professional.
Come prepared with information. Since your job is to communicate
as clearly as possible with the physician, objective information can be
critical. Have a list of signs, symptoms, problems and observations, including
dates and times. This information can help focus the conversation and
give the doctor valuable insights.
Tell about your symptoms. Remember, your doctor can't help you
get relief unless you tell him or her about your symptoms.
Ask at the beginning of the appointment. Ask your health care
professional questions at the beginning of your appointment. Your health
care professional may not have adequate time to discuss your concerns
if you wait until the end of the appointment to mention them
Connect after the appointment. It is reasonable to be able to
communicate with your doctor, or his/her office, outside of appointments.
Before you leave the appointment, determine what method of communication
your doctor prefers.
