How to Use Your Health Plan Getting Better Care Communicating with Your Doctor

Communicating with Your Doctor

Use this worksheet:
Make the Most of Doctor Visits

Do you forget all your questions when your doctor walks into the room? You are not alone. Exam-room anxiety is common.

Topics on this page

• Prepare for your visit
• Bring a list of concerns and questions
• Talk about your care
• Between visits

Prepare for your visit

• Bring someone along to help ask questions, listen, and take notes.
• Use the worksheet to make the most of your visit.
• Bring a list of your medicines and a copy of your health history.

Bring a list of concerns and questions

• Show the list to your doctor.
• Tell your doctor what hurts, what looks or feels different, like a mole that has changed.
• Talk about difficult or sensitive topics, like emotional problems, sexual concerns, or drinking habits. Your doctor keeps what you say confidential.
• Ask questions.

Talk about your care

• Make sure you understand what your doctor says. If you don’t, ask the doctor to explain it.
• Ask what tests you should have.
• Ask about preventive care and lifestyle changes to improve your health.

Between visits

• Call your doctor’s office if you have questions about your health.
• More doctors take e-mails now. If you want, ask how to e-mail your doctor.
• Leave your name, phone number, and the best times you reach you.
• Leave your cell phone number if you have one. Many doctors return calls in the evening.
• Ask who will return your call—your doctor, a nurse, or someone else.
• Ask how long it will take for someone to get back to you.

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