Patient Safety

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"A visit with your doctor: Using the time well"

What you say to your doctor plays a big role in helping diagnose and treat your medical problems. And what your doctor says to you influences how you will try to take care of your problems. The more you can tell your doctor and the more questions you ask, the better informed you’ll both be. You may even increase your chances of getting well.

Several studies have linked better communication between doctors and patients to higher patient satisfaction, better recovery from surgery, less use of pain medication and shorter hospital stays. In fact, two studies showed that patients’ blood pressure went down when they talked about their health concerns during doctor office visits.

Here are some ways to get the most out of your medical visits.

• Before the appointment, make a list of all symptoms and questions. This list should include anything you have done to relieve symptoms and any medicine you are taking. It should also include information about your health, such as allergies or past illnesses, and what you want to know from the doctor.
• Bring your list to the appointment and make sure to cover everything on it. You don’t have to wait for the doctor to ask the right questions. Feel free to ask questions about the doctor’s diagnosis and plan for treatment, including all the options.
• Take notes on what your doctor tells you. It’s easy to forget advice that's not written on a medicine bottle. Find out what else you can do to care for your condition—such as changing diet or lifestyle. If surgery is an option, find out about the pros and cons of the operation and write them down.

A visit to a doctor may last only 10 or 20 minutes, so it’s important to use this time well. Patients help themselves by helping their doctors understand everything that’s going on with their health.