Members of my immediate family have recently experienced some pretty serious illnesses which, of course, involved patient/family/physician communication (or, in some cases, a lack thereof).
Often, I'd find myself searching for whom to speak and what to say. Consequently, I wondered how the average lay patient or his family might react when events go wrong, whether in the hospital or in an office visit.
While questions should be asked of the doctor, sometimes it's the right inquiries that make the difference - sometimes between life and death. Thanks to Bottom Line Health and my own experiences, I urge readers to take a look at the communication steps we all should know when a medical situation occurs.
1) Be careful about one-sided conversations. Even though doctors are trained to listen to patients, this skill may become less reinforced as years pass. As for us, we've never been trained, so we blindly trust our physicians and do what they tell us without question. PLEASE. STOP. A back-and-forth relationship with time spent on the (correct) questions and answers is best for improved health.
2) Your questions do matter. The example Bottom Line Health offers is a good one: your doc prescribes a new and expensive medication for which you have little or no insurance to pay the bill. Do you blindly (see #1) agree to take the drug or do you question if and why you need this one above all others. Depending upon the condition being treated, Doc's answer could really affect both your physical and financial health. If your pocketbook doesn't allow for Brand Expensive so you don't fill the prescription in the first place, you'll definitely suffer repercussions. On the other hand, if you tell him or her to write a less costly drug, chances are that script will do the trick. Please remember, if we don't communicate openly with our provider about all issues, we're not giving the physician the opportunity to heal our ailments. Speak up. (Aside: Without writing again so quickly about patient assistance programs, consider negotiating a discount with your druggist for costly prescriptions or even pay out-of-pocket. The latter is often cheaper than going through insurance.)
3) Watch the time. Whether the 15-minute office visit mandated by most insurance plans or the more "generous" 35-45 minutes for one's yearly physical, time is of the essence. Even with my husband's recent stay and the astonishing patience and not to mention knowledge of his hospitalist, I still had to lead the conversation to ask some pressing subjects Dr. Delightful didn't address. It helps immensely if you and/or your advocate write questions down before you actually see the doctor. Sorry, but not too many of us remember questions we want answered when we're face-to-face with the Expression of Authority. Whether we're anxious and freeze up or let Doc do all the talking, our best-laid plans (i.e. health questions) often end up inside the proverbial bedpan. Along this same line, ensure you limit questions to the most crucial concerns; otherwise, you may receive rushed answers or, maybe, none at all.
4) Use the providers' patient portal. Most practices and hospitals today utilize these online portals, which can also be a blessing to their patients. Once we sign up, we can see lab results, transcriptions, medical records, and the like. Additionally, the portals sometimes allow patients to ask questions online or even request prescriptions. Going back to the earlier list of questions, some portals let patents send in their lists before appointments so the doctor can review them beforehand.
5) Remember your advocate. As I referenced in #3 and have literally begged over the years, make certain someone you trust is beside you at all times if possible. Obviously, we need someone during hospital stays, especially if the patient is groggy or unconscious but, also, if an important office visit is coming up. Studies show that 80 percent of patients immediately forget what's discussed during the conversation and the other 20 percent is recalled incorrectly! Don't simply ask for Great Aunt Harriet - you know, the one who's a bit hard of hearing - to sit in the hospital room or accompany you to the doctor visit; it's imperative to choose your advocate wisely to remember important details, clarify information, and grasp your treatment plan. Be certain Abby Advocate can write legibly as well; taking notes is a must. While my husband's nurses were wonderful during his recent Baroness Erlanger stay, way too many (proven) egregious errors occurred in other departments. Had I not been by his side to counteract certain incompetencies, no telling what might have happened!