Psst…Let me tell you a little known secret.
Think of your doctor appointments as doctor meetings. This subtle shift in thinking makes a difference! Follow these simple steps for good communication between you and your doctor.
Start by creating a written agenda for meeting with your doctor.
- Think about what you want to accomplish: state your goals for meeting.
- If you have several goals, list them in order of priority.
- List your questions related to each goal.
- Include a wrap-up section for discussion of next steps. For example: What does your doctor recommend? What more do you need to learn or do? Second opinion needed?
Share your written agenda with your doctor.
- Most doctors will appreciate learning what’s important to you in this summary.
- If possible, share your agenda in advance of your ‘meeting’. Email or drop off a copy of your agenda, your provider will appreciate your respect of time.
Appreciate your doctor’s agenda.
They bring a wealth of knowledge with them, too!
They prep for meetings with you by looking over your medical records.
Bring a family member or friend with you as your Care Partner to your ‘meeting’, they can…
- Take notes for you – very handy to have later!
- Help remind you of questions you want to ask
- (As needed) Help moderate the conversation to cover your agenda, as well as your doctor’s.
Flying solo in your meeting? Try these tips…
- Call a Care Partner and have them on speaker phone
- Record the ‘meeting’ on your phone
Adopting a “meeting mindset” is a win-win!
Your doctors understand your needs quickly, and you can ensure your questions and priorities are covered.
Feel hesitant about managing doctor meetings?
Don’t have a Care Partner to help you? We can take on that role for you. Two heads are better than one when it comes to getting the best with your health care team!
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