Health: Tips Towards Improving Physician-Patient Relationships

When dealing with medical professionals, as the patient, there is a good chance you don’t have the same perspective you would if you were advocating for someone. You’re vulnerable, you’re worried, and maybe you’re scared. You’re not calm, cool and collected. So here’s how to get the best from your medical professional:

1. Give as much information as you  have about your condition to your provider. He or she is not a psychic. If you don’t tell them, they won’t know.

2. Listen to them. Don’t interrupt.

3. Ask questions. Listen to the answers. Ask follow up questions. Listen to the answers.

4. Follow your doctor’s regime.

5. If you are not comfortable with your doctor, switch to a doctor with whom you are comfortable. Don’t stay with a doctor you don’t trust. If you do, you’ll probably wind up with an adversarial relationship.

6. Don’t bad mouth prior doctors to your present doctor or his/her staff. It’s rude.