Communication includes listening, reading, writing and speaking, as well as nonverbal actions, such as body position, gestures and facial expression. All human interactions involve the use of one or more of these activities, and certainly our health is a vital topic worthy of our best communication efforts.
During an appointment with your health care provider, follow these tips for effective communication:
• Be on time. This indicates that you take your health seriously and value the physician’s time, as well as your own.
• Bring any items that would facilitate your communication skills, such as your eyeglasses and hearing aids.
• Come with a written list of concerns and questions you have considered ahead of time. You can check them off as you discuss them, or you can hand the list to the physician to review on his or her own.
• Mentally prepare yourself to listen to the physician’s diagnosis and recommendations. It is important for you to feel comfortable enough to ask for clarification or further explanation.
• Don’t feel rushed. If you need time to make decisions about the next step in your care, please tell the physician what’s on your mind.
What should you, in turn, expect from your health care provider in terms of communication? Providers first and foremost are required to honor your privacy. In addition to showing genuine empathy for your circumstances, they can also furnish you with written and Internet materials to assist you in determining what is best for you. Many physicians also have specific times during the week when they make or receive follow-up phone calls from their patients.
Effective communication between you and your health care providers can help form a mutual bond of trust and understanding that contributes towards maintaining your health and well-being.
To find an excellent doctor who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.