Whether you’re as fit as a fiddle or you suffer from chronic health problems that require constant medical attention, the way in which you interact with your physician and other health care workers can determine the type of treatments you will receive and the efficacy of those treatments. Communication is absolutely essential to maintaining your health, and there are many opportunities for a question or concern to get lost in the shuffle. Often, patients have to take charge of their health by learning to speak more openly with their physicians. This article will provide you with a few basic tips for communicating clearly with your health care practitioners.

Voice Your Concerns

Your health care professional may only see you for a few minutes at a time, once or twice over the course of an entire year. While general practitioners may examine their patients thoroughly, they can still miss warning signs of illness. That is where you come in. As someone who knows what is normal for your body, you can help spot irregularities that a physician might inadvertently overlook. Of course, noticing these changes is only the beginning; you still need to talk to your physician about them at your appointment. To make this process easier, write down any questions you have and bring the list with you to your appointment.

Take Some Notes at the Office

Of course, sharing your comments and questions with your health care provider is only half of the battle. You also need to be sure that you are paying attention to what your physician is telling you. While this advice may seem very obvious, odds are that you have walked out of an appointment struggling to remember everything your physician said. Instead of relying on your memory alone, you may want to take some notes on what you’re instructed to do. You can also make a habit out of repeating back what you’ve heard to confirm that you’re taking the prescribed course of action, much like you might if you were transcribing a telephone number.

Ask Questions of Your Physician

Whether you bring up an issue or your physician does it for you, be sure that you are clear about any diagnoses or plans of action. Ask about anything that you are unsure of, from medical terminology to alternative treatment regimens. Your physician or other health care professional should be ready to help answer your questions, and if you feel rushed or unwelcome when asking such questions, it might be time to think about changing your health care provider.

If Necessary, Look for Outside Medical Help

Sometimes it’s just not feasible to ask all of your questions during an appointment, but remember that your physician isn’t the only person who can provide answers. For example, if you have a question about drug interactions, it may be easier to speak with your pharmacist about it than bringing it up during an office visit.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education. http://www.spineseminar.com/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: patient education, medical care, health care