As a healthcare provider for over 25 years, I have witnessed numerous changes in the healthcare delivery system, many of them not for the better. Prescription drug costs, reduced insurance coverage for services, and lack of available time to talk with physicians, are among just a few of the complaints and concerns I hear from patients. But, when my own father was hospitalized out of state a few years ago, the inadequacies of the health care system really hit home. In daily phone conversations with my mother and brothers, I saw how ill-equipped they were to ask the right questions or anticipate the best course for my father. My personal experiences as well as hearing the experiences of others has fueled my passion for educating health care consumers on how to communicate with their physicians.

Communication is said to be the “art” in the art and science of medicine, yet, not every physician is a good communicator. A poor communicator may leave a patient and/or their family members feeling intimidated, confused, or dissatisfied with the level of service. However, for communication to be truly effective, it must be viewed as a two way street. It is not enough to focus on the communication skills of the physician, but the patient must also evaluate how effectively they are communicating and how prepared they are when showing up for a hospital visit.

The physician is a sort of investigative reporter, who must interview the patient and gather the relevant facts. The patient, in contrast, must accurately tell their story, provide an adequate and truthful history of the problem and follow-thru with recommendations from the doctor that they have agreed upon.

The following are some specific suggestions for communicating with your physician:

* Your responsibility is to provide your physician with an accurate account of the problem (when it began, symptoms, medications,etc), as well as beliefs you have about this problem.

* Be aware of the fact that your doctor is going to pay the most attention to what you say in the first five minutes of your visit. Prioritize your concerns, and don’t allow your spouse to speak for you.

* Request that your doctor speak to you, directly and slowly. Request they repeat information you may not have heard or understood, particularly instructions.

* If you are discussing important decisions like surgery, specialized treatments like feeding tubes, take time ot think it over. Request another appointment to go over your questions, and if you think it’s needed, request a second opinion.

* Be sure to have a current list of medication you are taking, including over the counter drugs and vitamins and supplements which may interract with any new medications prescribed.

* If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of information you have been given, don’t be afraid to say: “I don’t understand.” Write down specific things the doctor tells you I fyou need to, and you may want to add: “I think I understand what we are talking about, but, if I have questions what might be a good time to call you?”

* Whenever possible try to have a spouse, other family member or friend accompany you to your physician’s office.

* If you are admitted to the hospital, be sure that you let staff know if you are hard of hearing or have any other difficulty understanding what is being said to you. You have the right to a translator if your primary language is not English, and an interpreter if you are deaf.

* As a competent adult, you have the right to accept or refuse any medical procedures. You should never make a decision with a feeling of coercion or pressure. If you feel that you absolutely cannot communicate with your physician, and feel that they are unresponsive to your needs, begin to look for another physician.

While there are many negative changes occurring in health care that we cannot directly impact, both physicians and consumers can learn to be better communicators. A good relationship between a physician and patient can go a long way towards improving patient satisfaction, reducing the risk of medical malpractice lawsuits, and improve medical outcomes.

These monthly articles are intended to: educate, enlist your participation in your own care, and empower you to advocate for your self or others .
(Re-printable with permission from the author: Mary Spremulli,MA,CCC-SLP. Send correspondence to: info@voiceaerobicsdvd.com)

About the author: Mary Spremulli,MA,CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist and licensed nurse. A national lecturer, with publications on the topic of Patient Education and Ethics, and with a special interest in physician-patient communication.