How to Talk to a Doctor

The success of a doctor’s appointment is very crucial for a patient. Wrong diagnosis due to wrong information may cause a patient’s life.

Here are expert tips for keeping your appointment meaningful and efficient written by Pamela F. Gallin, MD at the Reader’s Digest, August 2009. She writes:

“It's one of the sorriest stats in modern medicine: The average doctor's appointment lasts 15 minutes or less. No wonder you feel rushed! That doesn't leave much time for chatting about the weather or your mood. What you don't realize -- but what I see very clearly as a physician -- is that in this era of in-and-out appointments, what the patient says is more important than ever. In fact, your comments can help me give you great care or make it much harder for me to figure out what's going on.

Medical schools teach a specific way to conduct an office visit. Part one is the complaint, aka your description of your problem. Part two is the physical exam. And part three is when the doctor gives you a diagnosis and prescribes tests or a treatment. Chances are, you focus on part three, but the patients who receive the best care are those who master part one. The key is to describe in detail what you've been feeling -- not just "bad," but what kind of bad, for how long, and after what kind of activity.

Of course, that's easier said than done. Even though I've been a physician for many years, I tend to be a little nervous when I'm the one sitting on the exam table; if I haven't prepared, I lose track of the details I intended to share. So I take a few minutes at home to write down some crucial specifics. This is sort of like medical Mad Libs -- just choose the right words to fill in the blanks. For instance, say you've been bothered by back pain:

I have had __________ [problem: back pain] for __________ [time: days, weeks, months, years]. It is worse when I __________ [context: awake, bend down, at the end of the day]. The pain is __________ [type: sharp, dull]; it's __________ [severity: mild, severe, intolerable] and __________ [duration: constant, intermittent]. It began __________ [when: with an injury, spontaneously, when taking a medication]. When I take __________ [medication: aspirin, ibuprofen, narcotic], it makes it __________ [effect: all better, partially better, doesn't affect it at all].

The doctor will then ask questions, but you've done much of the work already. Your examination will be more specific, and the diagnosis and treatment will be more accurate. You'll have bought yourself time at the end of the visit to ask questions. And there may even be a few minutes left over for a little pleasant conversation!“

Barbara Ficarra of the Healthin30.com gives this advice on doctor’s appointment:

It’s important to partner with your doctor or health care provider. By being proactive and an empowered patient you can help get the care and treatment you need. Trust, mutual respect and communication are vital for the doctor/patient relationship. Be honest and open and allow yourself to be in charge of your health.
Before your appointment with your doctor, it’s important to be prepared.

Here are some of the tips:
• Take your medical history form with you which includes a list of your medications. You can download a free personal medical history and medications form here.
• It’s always a good idea to have someone with you. A trusted family member or friend can help make sense all the information that is given.
• Keep a journal of your symptoms, and bring it with you. Write down symptoms you may be experiencing. When did the symptoms start? Are they triggered by some activity? How long do the symptoms last? Are they constant?
• Write down any questions. Writing a list of questions in advance can help you stay focused and it will allow you to make the best use of time.

Get the conversation started. Here are a few questions to ask your doctor:
• What are the causes of my symptoms?
• Will the symptoms go away? How long will they last?
• What tests are needed to determine the ailment?
• How is the ailment diagnosed? What are the criteria for diagnosis?
• What is the treatment?
• Are there alternative therapies? Over-the-counter medications? Prescriptions? What are they? Will my present medications interfere with any of these new medications?
• Should my diet change? Are there certain foods that I should be eating?
• What lifestyle changes should be made?
These are just a few ideas to help make the most of the office visit. Remember to speak up and take charge of your health. If you don’t understand something, ask to have the information repeated and it’s okay to take notes during your visit.


Pamela F. Gallin, MD, is a clinical professor of ophthalmology and pediatrics at New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Medical Center and the author of How to Survive Your Doctor’s Care.
Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA, is host and executive producer of the Health in 30® Radio Show, a 30-minute program in the US that brings listeners the latest health and medical news and information with leading medical experts. The show streams live Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST on WRCR AM1300.