Quincy Pediatrics

What you can do to better communicate with your doctor

• Speak up if you want your doctor to make eye contact. This means the doctor looks at you rather than at a computer or someone else. Tell the doctor if you prefer that you both sit down when talking.
• Ask your doctor to repeat back what you just said. That helps make sure that he or she clearly understands you.
• After your appointment, call the doctor's office if you have questions or concerns. You might ask to meet again with the doctor, either in person or by phone. Find out if there is someone else in the office you should speak with instead.
• Speak up about topics that matter most to you. For instance, if your doctor is talking a lot about reasons for a treatment, speak up if you would rather hear more about its side effects.
• Say something if you think your doctor is not being respectful. For instance you might say, "I feel like you are not really listening to me."
• Make a list of questions and concerns before meeting with your doctor. Bring this list to your appointment and refer to it while talking with the doctor. You might also bring a pencil or pen to write notes about what was discussed.

What your doctor can do to better communicate with you

• Your doctor should clearly explain medical problems. This includes:
• What your medical problem is, or might be.
• How he or she plans to diagnose this problem.
• What you can do to care for this problem at home.
• What kind of medicine to take, along with how much and how often to take it.
• When you can expect to start feeling better.

• Your doctor should pay close attention to what you say. He or she may repeat back what you said, or ask more questions. Your doctor will likely also write notes in your chart or enter information in the computer about what you discussed.
• Your doctor should show respect. This means that he or she asks about and respects your feelings, beliefs, and values when it comes to treatment and care.

Communicating Better With Your Doctor