HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DOCTOR
Patients who know how to make the most of their doctor get better medical care - it's that simple! The doctor-patient relationship is very special - it's personal, it's private and it's different for every person. It is unique - and since it is the ultimate one-on-one relationship, where you confide in your doctor and entrust him with your life, you must find a doctor you can trust and be comfortable with. You need to work as a team with your doctor.
In order to foster this relation, treat it with care and respect. Don't forget to say "Thank you" when you get better. A doctor gets fed up of seeing patients with complaints all day long, and it's nice for him to hear a patient say he is better thanks to the doctor's care. Unfortunately, this is something we often forget - and patients tend to remember the doctor only when ill. Saying you're better also makes your doctor remember you as a person and treat you as a special patient - and getting VIP attention from you helps to improve your medical care!
There is no one doctor who is Dr. Right for everyone - there is a special chemistry sometimes; but you need to hunt for the doctor who is right for you - depending upon your temperament, personality, and perhaps age and sex. Patients have different personalities - some need to be told what to do while others want all their questions answered; so obviously they will need different types of doctors. Each patient will find the doctor he deserves!
Making the most of your visit:
What to tell your doctor:
.....All the symptoms you have noted. Provide these in chronological order, starting from when you first noted something was amiss.
.....Details of what remedies you have tried, and whether they helped or not
.....Family history
.....Past medical history
What to ask your doctor:
What he thinks is wrong with you. Often, he may tell you he does not know. When he says this, it does not mean he is a poor physician - it may simply mean you have a difficult problem for which more tests are needed; or that your doctor would like to "wait and watch" to see how the problem evolves; or that he may need to refer your for a second opinion. Remember, doctors do not have all the answers!
Whether you need to see him again, and when.
Details about the treatment recommended, preferably in writing.
Carry written checklists with you at every visit. It's very common that you have a number of questions to ask the doctor; but in the stress of the consultation, you forget most of these. This is very frustrating, and you kick yourself when you get home. To prevent this from happening, write down all the questions you need to ask. It's also helpful to write down the doctor's answers - take notes, if needed. Studies have shown that patients forget about 50 percent of what the doctor tells them in a visit! Writing it down will prevent this from happening. It also helps your doctor; because you don't need to phone him with your queries or ask the same questions during every visit.
Taking a friend or relative along for the consultation can also be very helpful. It helps to reduce your anxiety; gives you courage to ask questions; and also ensures you have someone to interpret what the doctor said. Please ask questions - never mind how many other patients are waiting outside the doctor's office - or how stupid the questions may seem to you. When you are with the doctor, his only focus of interest should be you; and it's his job to provide answers! Remember, the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask.
Be assertive in asking questions and obtaining information; but don't be aggressive or antagonistic. Listen carefully to what your doctor says, and ask questions if you do not understand.
Remember, the word doctor is derived from the Latin root, "docere" which means ‘to teach'. So look for a doctor who is willing to share his knowledge with you!
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