Tips for Talking to your Doctor  View PDF version (Adobe® PDF)

Making the Most of Each Doctor’s Visit
While it can be intimidating to take control of your health, it's your right and responsibility to be involved in the decisions that will affect your life.  Partnering with your healthcare team and participating in decision-making requires determination.  Both you and your healthcare team, which may include your doctor(s), your doctor's staff and your support team of family and friends, need to be committed to working together.

Having a serious illness like cancer means every visit with a healthcare professional is important. It also means that effective communication is essential. Being honest about any problems you're having with your treatment, such as pain, nausea and vomiting, or disclosing information that may seem embarrassing or sensitive is critical to your treatment.

Remember that healthcare professionals are used to hearing all types of information about the human body and its functions. But they can only help you if you honestly tell them about what's bothering you. The more openly you communicate with your healthcare providers, the better the care they can give you.

Open communication with doctors, nurses and other members of your healthcare team is essential for people diagnosed with cancer. They can be a good source of information and support.

Here are some helpful ways to make the most of every doctor's visit:

Eight Tips for Talking to Your Healthcare Team

1. Prepare for your appointment. Arrive on time and be sure you are clear about what you want to talk about. Write down important points you want to remember or bring someone with you to help you remember.

2. Bring a list. Let your doctor know what other medications you are currently taking, including both prescription & nonprescription medication. Also list previous surgeries, and other medical history.

3. Make it a conversation. Many people let the healthcare professional do all the talking. Be sure to ask questions and make sure you understand everything you are told. Always answer any questions you are asked fully and honestly, so your healthcare professional has a complete understanding of your health status.

4. Repeat what you have heard. Many times patients hear something different from what their healthcare professional said. That is why it is important to repeat what the healthcare professional said to you. Then if there is a misunderstanding, it can be cleared up on the spot.

5. Clarify. Request that your diagnosis, medications, or any terms you are not familiar with be repeated or spelled out, and write them down so that you have a clear understanding of them and what they are for.

6. Keep in touch. Ask your healthcare professionals for their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers. Find out the best times to call if you have any questions.

7. Keep a Symptom Diary. Write down the events of the day, including treatments (if you had any that day), what you ate, medications you took and when, and record how you felt. A journal can be a valuable tool to help you remember how you are responding to treatment — Click here for a printable Symptom Diary to help you keep track of your symptoms — note if you felt nauseated or tired, if you vomited or if you had any other difficulties. It is helpful to make the format the same for each day and take the journal with you to all your appointments with healthcare professionals.

8. If you are experiencing nausea or vomiting when on caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or have experienced it in the past, tell your doctor about your history and ask what you can do to help avoid these side effects in the future.

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