Communicating with Doctors

 

If you've not spent much time around doctors or hospitals, you may feel awkward and unsure at times about how best to communicate with the people who are there to help care for your loved one. That's not unusual. Here are some simple things you can do that can help improve communication with your loved one's health care team and help you get the most out of your time with them.

Tips for Family Caregivers to Effectively Communicate with Doctors

  • Educate yourself about your loved one's disease.
  • Write questions down before appointments so that you will not forget them.
  • Consider using a tape recorder at appointments so you can remember all that was communicated.
  • If you have lots of things to talk about, make a consultation appointment, so that the doctor can allow enough time to meet with you.
  • Learn the routine at your doctors office and/or the hospital so you can make the system work for you, not against you.
  • Recognize that not all questions have answers, especially those beginning with why.
  • Separate your frustration about not being able to help your loved one as much as you would like from your feelings about the doctor. You are both on the same side and need to work together.
  • Appreciate what the doctor is doing to help and say thank you.
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