Medical Experts Article
HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR WITHOUT PULLING OUT YOUR HAIR by Contributing Writer
Y
ou go to see a physician because you want to learn about the issues you may be having with your health. The reality is you will only have seconds to say anything about your situation. After this, a physician will have a question, comment, or redirect the conversation. If you wonder if your doctor even hears what you’re saying, you are not alone. Communication This is not everyone’s experience when
they go to see their physician, but it is a common one. There was a recent study
patient’s health. When a person disagrees with what a physician says, they
and not so much about your health history. Both can help and physicians know that
more than 80 percent of proper diagnoses are made by effectively listening to
their patients. A list and notes can help a physician remember what they have
already told you. If you have your story
must respectfully communicate it.
may want to hear about your symptoms
and questions ready, a
Trust must be built and
IN MANY CASES,
communication with their patients. Less
them. There are certain
THERE IS A
these same physicians believe their talks
communicate effectively
DISCONNECT BETWEEN
disconnect between patient and physician
Make Notes
conducted that showed over 74 percent of physicians believe they have satisfactory
maintained between
than 22 percent of patients treated by
things a patient can do to
were adequate. In many cases, there is a
with their physician.
that is difficult to accept. Working Together
It may help if you have
some notes about your
PATIENT AND PHYSICIAN THAT IS DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT.
It is understood that the better a physician
condition before you go
the higher a chance a patient will get
know the questions you want to ask, you
patient must work together to improve the
Patients have to realize that physicians
and a patient can speak to one another,
to your doctor’s appointment. When you
the correct treatment. A physician and
will listen more closely to the answers.
8 | 35 WEST | OCTOBER 2020
physician will be ready to listen.
Honest and Accurate On the other side, it’s important to remember your
physician has many
patients who have not told them the whole truth about their
symptoms. This usually
happens when it involves something a
patient doesn’t feel comfortable speaking about. These topics often involve a sexual
question as well as the illegal use of drugs www.35WestMagazine.com
