Patients, as much as the professionals who treat them, are critical to maintaining good health. You know your symptoms best and are usually the one in charge of following a doctor's treatment plan for your care. Still, it can be hard to talk easily with your health care provider and ask questions when your health needs are complex, you are unfamiliar with medical terminology, and you have been told that ‘doctor knows best.’
If you find it hard to talk with your doctor or nurse practitioner, try some of these strategies.
Doctor’s appointments often seem too short. These tips can help you make the most of that time:
Visit the Speak Up™ website for video overviews, frequently asked questions and other relevant materials to help you prepare for appointments and communicate effectively.
Health providers sometimes use medical jargon. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when something is unclear and repeat back what you heard to your doctor to make sure you understood the information correctly.
The Patient Medical Journal provides templates and charts to help you organize paperwork and write down the right information.
You are the person closest to your treatment, so your knowledge and instincts are key to helping clinicians care for you safely.
Find more resources from Massachusetts Health Quality Partners and the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.