How can I get best value out of my doctor?

Answer:

By being a smart patient. How?

By following this doctor’s advice:


1. Please don’t be embarrassed about how silly your symptoms sound. Tell me anyway. Symptoms don’t have to make sense – and I won’t think you’re making them up.

2. No matter how embarrassing, please always tell me the truth about:

(a) how the problem happened (I can’t possibly tell my doctor what I was really doing when I lost my eyesight for 5 minutes!);

(b) the medications you’re taking ( I am too ashamed to admit I am taking anti-psychotic tablets!);

(c) how you haven’t done your “homework” (If I tell my doctor I stopped taking my tablets, he will be angry with me.);

(d) embarrassing lifestyle habits ( I can’t tell this nice doctor that I drink half a bottle of scotch every night and regularly take amphetamines!)

4. Write down all the things you want to cover during the visit beforehand. Visiting a doctor can be stressful, and you mightn’t be able to remember everything you want to say.

5. Avoid the classic “Oh, by the way” method of raising your most important concern as you’re walking out the door. Be smart: Start by talking about your most important concern, not the concern you feel most comfortable talking about.

6. Sometimes I accidentally slip into “doctor-speak”. If there’s anything I say that you don’t understand, please ask me to explain. If you still don’t understand, ask me again!

7. Once we’ve discussed your treatment options and you’ve agreed to a treatment plan, stick to it. For your own sake, give the treatment plan the best shot of succeeding. This might mean taking the tablets twice a day for three weeks; attending physio sessions for at least four sessions; not lifting anything heavy for 2 weeks, etc.