Can we talk to your doctor properly? (Effective Doctor-Patient Communication)

When we get sick, we go to see a doctor. At that time, we feel a lot of fear and anxiety. When the doctor explains what the illness is and tells us about the medicine, sometimes those things don't even cross our minds. Only when we get home do we remember, "Oh, I couldn't hear that," "I don't know what this means." You may have had similar experiences. The conversation between you and your doctor, that is, communication, is essential to the success of treatment. So today, let's talk about how you can strengthen this relationship and actively participate in making decisions about your health.

Why is this conversation so important?

Imagine you have diabetes, heart disease, or a knee injury. What if you don't understand what the doctor is saying? You won't be able to understand the pros and cons of the treatments. You won't know exactly what you need to do to get better. Often, this conversation can be interrupted. Maybe it's because you're afraid. Maybe it's because the doctor is busy. Or maybe it's because we don't understand the medical terms and statistics he uses. Research shows that many people around the world lack the ability to obtain, understand, and act on basic information about their health. We call this lack of health literacy . This makes it more likely that you will take the wrong medication, have misunderstandings about treatment, and miss the opportunity to choose the best treatment.

How do I talk to the doctor?

The first step to good communication is to choose a doctor who is a good fit for you and easy to talk to. Sometimes when we have to see specialists, for example, a neurologist or a rheumatologist, we may not have the opportunity to make choices. But whenever possible, try to find a doctor who is friendly, kind, and listens to what you have to say.

Get ready and go.

There is a responsibility on your part as well. Rather than just going to the clinic, it is much more important to write down on paper what you want to know, the questions that are on your mind. And remember some basic information about your health. "As a patient, we should not just sit back and watch. We should be actively involved in this," experts say.

Tell the doctor who you are.

Another important thing is to tell your doctor what you are like and what your expectations are. For example, you can say, "Doctor, if I get a little better, I would be willing to undergo a more difficult, intensive treatment." Or, you can say, "I am very afraid of side effects, so let's consider that before choosing a treatment." When you express your wishes in this way, it will be a great help for the doctor to choose the treatment that is most suitable for you.

Stories? Statistics? What's the best way?

Depending on how you want to learn, your conversation with your doctor may vary. Some patients want to hear statistics from research. Others want to hear anecdotes about the doctor's experience, that is, the results he has achieved from treating patients like himself.

• Anecdotes: "Oh, Doctor, how did other people who were sick like me get better with this medicine?" We want to ask. But there's something we need to understand here. Everyone's body and illness are different. You can't just listen to one person's story and assume that you will get the same results. It can sometimes create false hopes, or just plain disappointment.

• Statistics: On the other hand, statistics, that is, data, can be very useful to us. We can learn things like the probability of success of a treatment, the probability of side effects, etc. from numbers. But these numbers are sometimes difficult for us to understand. There is also the question of how well those data fit your age, health status, and family history.

The best thing to do is to use both methods. You can ask: When you ask a question like this, it's easy for the doctor to answer in a way that you understand.

Don't go alone!

This is very important. When you go to the doctor, take a family member or a trusted friend with you. When you are anxious, you may forget what the doctor says. But the person who goes with you can remember it better, ask questions that you may have forgotten, and explain things to you later.

The Dangers of 'Dr. Google' and the Questions You Need to Ask

Nowadays, you can ask the Internet, that is, 'Dr. Google', about any disease. But this is more likely to do more harm than good. Not all information on the Internet is accurate. Some things just make you feel scared and worried. Therefore, the best way is to use the Internet to gain some basic understanding of your medical condition, and then go to see the doctor with a few questions based on that. Never self-diagnose a disease by looking at the Internet. The table below contains some questions that you should definitely ask when you go to see a doctor. Finally, no question is a "stupid" question. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor anything that comes to your mind, no matter how small. Expect an answer to every question you ask. After all, it's your body, your health. You have every right to know about it. Doctor, doctor, patient, communication, health literacy, doctor-patient communication, ask your doctor, health literacy