Talking to Your Doctor

Talking to Your Doctor - The Do's and Don'ts

Talking to your doctor can be nerve-racking, especially for those of us used to frequent visits and little physical improvement. Issues with perceived drug-seeking behaviour, frustration with lack of progress, guilt, lack of time, misunderstanding of the problem, and much more can make these visits fraught and potentially useless.

You can ensure your medical appointments are worth your time, and put your doctor in the best possible position to help you, by following these basic guidelines:

1. Be prepared. Before your appointment, write down what you want to discuss in as much detail as you can. List symptoms, severity, duration, and possible associated factors. The more information you provide, the better. Also take with you a list of meds you are currently on, and if relevant what you have unsuccessfully tried as well.

2. Be direct. Everyone knows these appointments are short. Don't waste time umming and ahhing.

3. Do not take your doctor's brusque attitude personally. Guess what? Doctors are not taught bedside manner, and some are better at making you feel comfortable than others. They are human too, and may well be tired, overworked, underpaid, rushed or simply in a bad mood. If their attitude is affecting your ability to communicate, ask them to be a little more attentive.

4. Consider asking for a longer appointment time or an appointment at the end of the day. Receptionists are the gate-keepers; informing them ahead of time that you have a complex issue to discuss will give them the best chance of allotting you an appropriate amount of time, and they'll appreciate you not messing up the schedule by running long during your appointment!

5. Ask for a referral if appropriate. Family doctors are generalists, not specialists. If your doctor isn't getting what's going on with you, ask for a referral.

6. Take notes during your appointment. It's almost impossible for anyone to remember everything their doctor tells them, so write it down! You can review it later, research anything you don't understand, and this is far less likely to lead to misunderstandings.

You are the primary caregiver for your body; your doctor is a partner in your care, but you must be your own best advocate. Take practical steps towards ownership of your medical appointments with the steps above!

Found this content useful? Find much more like it in Taming Chronic Pain, available for pre-order now! 

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