Write down your concerns and symptoms beforehand. Make bullet points of questions you want to ask. When a doctor asks you what your concerns are, remember that you're not writing a novel. Tell her what the problem is, simply. I've been dizzy lately. Or, I'm sad all the time. Or, I'm having constant pain in my back. Be sure you tell them ALL the symptoms, but don't try to connect them.
Answer the doctor's questions honestly, but if you don't understand the question, say so! Don't make assumptions.
Make sure of your facts when you give your medical history.
And take another pair of ears with you to write down what the doctor says.
I keep a separate folder with pockets and the place to keep three punched papers for each person in the house. One side is pending referals the other receipts and medicine print outs. The center is where I keep all the labs from each doctor ( I ask for them) Then the pocket if for business cards. The labs are always filed with the newest on top. This way a doc can quickly look at what else has been ordered and if a test has been done before. It also saves FIL from multiple sticks for the same thing. I write down symptoms of concern the day before we go so I do not forget anything. If the doc is unclear to my satisfaction I ask them to explain again or ask the nurse. I have worked in healthcare a long time and know that it is all about time over target with the doc who probably has scheduled less than 10 min for that visit. With this system I can keep everyone straight as it is a lot to do the medical for several people. Each persons folder is color coded to the rings that Target puts on meds as well.
Write up your health history to give to each new provider and include close family that is blood relative, don't include your children or the grands. List any surgeries, childhood illnesses, vacinations. Add age of parents nad significant health problems ie stroke, cancer. Number of pregnancies and current ages of children. Obtain copies of your medical records from other recent providers and results of labs and other investigations. Provide approximate dates Clearly type if possible your list of current medications,dose and time taken. Write out the history of your current complaint and the names and current contact information of any other providers. Take copies of POA and Healthcare proxy and DNR if appropriate. As said above you are not writing a noved so keep it clear and consise so the Dr can skim through it and then ask questions and do his examination. If possible type and double space.
A article “Learning How to Communicate with Someone Living with Alzheimer's”{by Bob DeMarco at 10/21/2012 12:13:00 AM} got me to think about my conversation skills.
I am trying to make myself validate the person words and reply, “If I understand you correctly, (and repeat my statement and ask is that right)?”
Words of wisdom paraphrased on Retirees NewsBasket blog.is a model I am trying to work this in to my own speaking habits.
While the other person is talking Do not formulate your answer while the other person is talking.
People who don't listen decide how they are going to respond before you even stop talking. Don't be afraid to pause for five or ten seconds to consider the what the person is saying
Doing so demonstrates that you listened carefully and that you are giving them the courtesy of a thoughtful reply. If you actually give a thoughtful reply, no one will remember that it took you nine seconds to start talking
Validate what the person is saying before you answer
Try not to make the mistake of taking five minutes of a {person's} time answering a something s/he did not say. First, paraphrase the point by validating.
Allow the other person to clarify what they are saying.
Try to start your answer when you are 100% certain you understand what the person is saying.
My brother and I are primary caregivers for my 87-year-old dad who had a stroke a year-and-a-half ago. My brother came up with the idea of using G-mail, which has a Google Drive and Calendar and a place to start documents. Since I am dad's health-care POA and handle all of his medical appointments, etc., I have documents in there that list all his meds (and mom's, too) as well as lists of all doctors with contact info; dad's medical history; pending appointments; past medical appointments with dates and what happened at those appointments; and a list of pending medical tasks and questions. If I need anything, I print it out and take it with me to the doctor's appointment. And since the Google drive is an extremely secure site, other family members with passwords have access to this info. When I started this journey a year-and-a-half ago with dad's care, I felt I was plunged into a new world and hit a steep learning curve. I am NOT a medical person and I found it overwhelming dealing with doctors. I had to ask questions over and over and took many notes so I wouldn't forget what was said. I am quiet by nature but had to quickly learn to be assertive and be a strong advocate for dad. I have learned doctors mean well but often, they don't speak in layperson's terms, nor do they always have the best solutions to a problem. Sometimes, it's best to take a breath, step back and allow yourself to reflect on various options. I hope this helps.
I suggest you be open and honest with them. Simply say everything you want to say, and ask what you want to ask, so that you are satisfied that you have been heard and all of your concerns have been addressed. If they want to convey something to you, listen carefully, and ask any questions or voice any concerns that you have. If you do not feel comfortable with someone at the office, ask to speak with someone else at the office. If that does not work, you can always switch doctors. Best of luck.
As a retired nurse, but caring for my husband, the best way to communicate is probably to ask a lot of questions when you don't understand either medical terminology or directions, and be an advocate for both yourself and your loved one with dementia. Since you don't elaborate why you want to communicate with medical professionals, I can't say much more. Most of us are happy to answer questions and educate.
I agree strongly with writing down your concerns and questions. I would also suggest you pick only the top 3 questions or concerns to discuss at any one appointment. I believe you will get more complete answers if the list is not overwhelming for both you and the health care professional.. Make a follow up appointment in 2-3 weeks to further discuss other concerns. Make the appointment specifically for discussing concerns and questions and let the person scheduling the appointment know your main concern for example " to talk about problems I am having with depression, or concerns about my parents health care" I think the best thing is to not mix and appointment for a routine medication or blood pressure check with other concerns because it changes the focus and time scheduled for your appointment. (dont' take this as time being the most important part, a good health care professional will make the time to talk with you even if it is at follow up appointment) Best wishes
It would indeed be helpful to know a few more details about your situation; are you talking about communicating with a PCP, or with clinicians in the hospital?
For primary care visits, there usually isn't a lot of time. As a former PCP doc, I suggest you send in a written list with all your concerns ahead of time,with the most important ones at the top. (Whether or not the doc will read it before the visit is another story; depends on the doc and on how the clinic is organized.)
Agree with the person who said aim to have 3 issues discussed during the visit. It's hard to address more than that, but I think it's in your interest to let the doctor know everything that's on your mind, and a written itemized list is a good way to do this.
Also, if you're a caregiver, even if you don't have permission to access your loved one's records, you can always send your observations and concerns in writing to the doctor...I've had it happen often, and it's usually good information for me to know.
Answer the doctor's questions honestly, but if you don't understand the question, say so! Don't make assumptions.
Make sure of your facts when you give your medical history.
And take another pair of ears with you to write down what the doctor says.
List any surgeries, childhood illnesses, vacinations.
Add age of parents nad significant health problems ie stroke, cancer.
Number of pregnancies and current ages of children.
Obtain copies of your medical records from other recent providers and results of labs and other investigations. Provide approximate dates
Clearly type if possible your list of current medications,dose and time taken.
Write out the history of your current complaint and the names and current contact information of any other providers.
Take copies of POA and Healthcare proxy and DNR if appropriate.
As said above you are not writing a noved so keep it clear and consise so the Dr can skim through it and then ask questions and do his examination. If possible type and double space.
I am trying to make myself validate the person words and reply, “If I understand you correctly, (and repeat my statement and ask is that right)?”
Words of wisdom paraphrased on Retirees NewsBasket blog.is a model I am trying to work this in to my own speaking habits.
While the other person is talking Do not formulate your answer while the other person is talking.
People who don't listen decide how they are going to respond before you even stop talking. Don't be afraid to pause for five or ten seconds to consider the what the person is saying
Doing so demonstrates that you listened carefully and that you are giving them the courtesy of a thoughtful reply. If you actually give a thoughtful reply, no one will remember that it took you nine seconds to start talking
Validate what the person is saying before you answer
Try not to make the mistake of taking five minutes of a {person's} time answering a something s/he did not say. First, paraphrase the point by validating.
Allow the other person to clarify what they are saying.
Try to start your answer when you are 100% certain you understand what the person is saying.
For primary care visits, there usually isn't a lot of time. As a former PCP doc, I suggest you send in a written list with all your concerns ahead of time,with the most important ones at the top. (Whether or not the doc will read it before the visit is another story; depends on the doc and on how the clinic is organized.)
Agree with the person who said aim to have 3 issues discussed during the visit. It's hard to address more than that, but I think it's in your interest to let the doctor know everything that's on your mind, and a written itemized list is a good way to do this.
Also, if you're a caregiver, even if you don't have permission to access your loved one's records, you can always send your observations and concerns in writing to the doctor...I've had it happen often, and it's usually good information for me to know.
Good luck!
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