Do you remember your family doctor stopping by the house with his black leather satchel to check in and see how you were doing? And in those days, you’d do whatever the doctor said. No questions asked.
Times have changed. Communication between you and your health care provider is no longer a one-way conversation. Now it is more a partnership, working as a team. And it should be.
If your doctor doesn’t know what you are experiencing, how is she going to treat you successfully? And if you don’t understand the how’s, what’s, when’s and why’s of your diagnosis and treatment, how are you going to stay motivated to follow your doctor’s orders?
This is particularly true for older adults. We often discuss with our doctor more difficult health conditions and treatments, affecting more facets of our lives. And what is said can be easily misunderstood. At a gerontology conference, I heard a health care professional say that, after a doctor’s appointment, most people only remember about half what they heard — and it’s wrong!
Here are a few tips provided by the National Institute on Aging to help you get the most out of your doctor’s visit:
1) Be honest. Don’t just say what you want the doctor to hear — that you have been exercising even when you haven’t. Tell it like it is so she will have accurate information for her diagnosis and treatment.
2) Decide which three or four questions you’ll ask and state them at the beginning of the appointment, so they aren’t overlooked.
3) Stick to the point. I always enjoy the friendly small-town chats. But keep it short and get to the reason you are there by briefly stating your symptoms: When they started, how often they happen and if they are getting worse or better.
4) Share your feelings about the visit. Tell your doctor if you feel rushed, worried, or uncomfortable. If you are confused, ask your doctor to clarify. If you are worried about your condition and would like to talk more, ask her for more time or schedule another appointment.
It’s important to stay informed — one reliable source for medical information is MedlinePlus, produced by the U.S. Library of Medicine. And to ask questions. Don’t be shy.
You need to be your own advocate or find someone who will be. If your doctor keeps brushing off your questions and symptoms as simply “you’re getting old,” you might want to look for another doctor.
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