Let’s face it— interacting with your doctor can be stressful. The pace is fast and the system can be intimidating.
Clear and open communication and a concerted effort to understand the health care system works in your favor, says Kathy Prybylski, RN, one of the co-facilitators of CentraState’s Take Control of Your Health, a chronic disease self-management program developed by Stanford University. Prybylski and co-facilitator Bella Grevesen, RN, teach patients the tools they need to best manage their condition.
They suggest the following tips for getting the most out of your doctors’ appointments:
- Prepare for your appointments. Bring questions and a list of your medications. Ask for a longer appointment to cover it all.
- Keep a binder of your recent medical reports and labs to take to your appointments, or utilize your doctor’s patient portal.
- Keep notes in-between visits to provide your doctor with the most accurate updates.
- Let your doctor know all your concerns at the start of your appointment. Don’t wait until the end when there is little time to get answers.
“When you are in control of the conversation and fully understand your plan of care, you are more likely to get what you need and have a peace of mind that allows you to feel better—physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Prybylski explains.
For more tips on communicating with your doctors and managing your health, join our free upcoming workshop Take Control of Your Health starting on August 3.
