Talking With the Medical Team

Building a partnership with a medical team that addresses your needs is crucial. You need to be assertive, ask questions, get options to choose from, and make sure that you are comfortable with the plan.

Doctors are busy people, but that doesn't mean that they don't want you to ask questions.

Doctor and Nurse

Here are some steps that may help establish good communications:

  • Prepare questions ahead of time. Make a list of your most important concerns and problems. Issues you might want to discuss with the physician are changes in symptoms, medications or general health of the care recipient, your own comfort in your caregiving situation, or specific help you need to provide care.

  • Enlist the help of the nurse. Nurses are sometimes called "patient advocates" which means they look out for you. Your nurse may help answer questions about various tests and examinations, surgical procedures, recovery and rehabilitation.

  • Make sure your appointment meets your needs. When you schedule your appointment, be sure you convey clearly the reasons for your visit so that enough time is allowed. If you can, schedule your appointment for a time when you can be as relaxed as possible. If you think of questions after the doctor leaves the room, be sure to stop and tell someone in the office. You can leave your questions and the doctor or one of his staff members can call you back with the answers.

  • Call ahead. Before the appointment, check to see if the doctor is on schedule. Remind the receptionist of special needs when you arrive at the office.