How To Talk to Your Doctor Without Pulling out Your Hair

by Contributing Writer

You 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 may want to hear about your symptoms and not so much about your health history. Both can help and physicians know that redirect the conversation. If you wonder if your doctor even hears what you’re saying, more than 80 percent of proper diagnoses you are not alone. are made by effectively listening to Communication This is not everyone’s experience when patient’s health. When a person disagrees with what a physician says, they their patients. A list and notes can help a physician remember what they have already told you. If you have your story they go to see their physician, but it is a must respectfully and questions ready, a common one. There was a recent study conducted that showed over 74 percent of communicate it. Trust must be built and IN MANY CASES, physician will be ready to listen. physicians believe they have satisfactory communication with their patients. Less maintained between them. There are certain THERE IS A Honest and Accurate than 22 percent of patients treated by these same physicians believe their talks things a patient can do to communicate effectively DISCONNECT BETWEEN On the other side, it’s important to were adequate. In many cases, there is a with their physician. PATIENT AND remember your disconnect between patient and physician that is difficult to accept. Make Notes PHYSICIAN THAT IS physician has many patients who have not Working Together It may help if you have some notes about your DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT. told them the whole truth about their It is understood that the better a physician condition before you go symptoms. This usually and a patient can speak to one another, to your doctor’s appointment. When you happens when it involves something a the higher a chance a patient will get know the questions you want to ask, you patient doesn’t feel comfortable speaking the correct treatment. A physician and will listen more closely to the answers. about. These topics often involve a sexual patient must work together to improve the Patients have to realize that physicians question as well as the illegal use of drugs

or alcohol and more. It’s important to try They often follow various educational and work on developing a relationship models such as rapport, empathy, support, with your physician where you are partnership, explanations, cultural comfortable being competence, as honest and accurate about any issue involving your health. It is important to ask PATIENTS HAVE TO REALIZE THAT well as trust --which is better known as RESPECT. There is about the best way to contact your physician PHYSICIANS MAY WANT also acknowledge, introduce, duration, with any follow-up questions. Feel free TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR explanation, as well as thank you to communicate with your physician about SYMPTOMS AND NOT -- or AIDET. Some medical experts try your care as well as the experience you’ve SO MUCH ABOUT YOUR to teach physicians how to effectively had in their office. Physicians appreciate HEALTH HISTORY. communicate with their patients this type of honest communication. They believe it helps emphasize the Four them learn more about the care they are Es. This involves engage, enlist, educate, providing and how their office and empathize. This method is used as is operating. a way to help patients become active

Physician’s Barriers

Try to understand your physician is also facing things that put up a barrier for them when it comes to effectively communicating.

Patients being confrontational and resistant to answering questions by those who are providing them care.

They may unintentionally use jargon a patient could misunderstand.

It is possible there is a cultural barrier between a physician and their patient.

A patient or physician could simply have a lack of effective communication skills. This often involves not knowing when or how to respond to specific nonverbal cues.

There could be an avoidance of social and emotional issues.

All physicians have a fear of being sued.

Communication Models

Physicians are always trying to learn how to communicate better with their patients. participants in their health care plans. If you are experiencing a communication problem with your physician, you may need to seek ways to correct the situation. You should always work with a physician that makes you feel as if you can trust them. A doctor who makes you believe they are listening to what you have to say about your medical issues. At the end of a visit, you may want to go over with your physician what was discussed and make certain you are both on the same page. This can lead to a better understanding between the two of you and result in more effective communication taking place.

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