Communicating Effectively with Medical Professionals: Tips and Phrases for Patients

Effective communication is crucial when seeking medical advice or undergoing treatment. A positive patient-doctor relationship can significantly enhance the quality of care you receive. However, it's important to approach medical professionals with a straightforward and honest demeanor, especially when discussing your health concerns. Here are some recommended tips and phrases to get the most out of your medical appointments.

Be Honest and Direct

When interacting with medical staff, maintaining honesty and directness is essential. Avoid using overly technical medical terms, as this can build a barrier of distrust. For example, if a nurse asks how you know you are bleeding, simply acknowledge that someone told you or you observed the signs.

Phrase: Instead of saying: 'I know it's blood from the medical test I had.'

Use: 'The nurse told me it was blood, or I saw the red stuff running out of my body.'

Ask Relevant and Specific Questions

Preparing a list of questions before your appointment can ensure that you cover all your concerns without causing the healthcare provider to feel rushed. Ask about possible treatment options, their effectiveness, and any potential risks or outcomes associated with the condition you are addressing.

Example questions:

How can I manage or stop the activities that are causing me to feel unwell? What are the potential long-term effects of my current condition? What is your recommended treatment plan? Are there any alternative treatments you would suggest?

Avoid Unnecessary Details

While sharing relevant background information is important, it's crucial to distinguish between what is pertinent to your current condition and what might be unrelated. Do not go into excessive detail about other medical issues or events in your life unless they directly impact your current situation.

Phrase: Instead of: 'My back has been hurting since I injured it last summer... My sister has been at the hospital a lot for her diabetes, and...'

Use: 'I recently started experiencing back pain, and it has been affecting my daily activities. Can you tell me more about possible causes and treatments for this?'

Utilize Helpful Resources

The National Institute of Health offers a list of recommended questions to ask your healthcare provider. We encourage you to review this resource and create a list of questions specifically tailored to your situation to ensure you don’t miss anything crucial.

National Institute of Health - Guide to Questions for Healthcare Providers

Respectful Communication

A positive and respectful demeanor is key to an effective patient-doctor relationship. By being honest, prepared, and concise, you can establish a strong foundation for open and meaningful communication. Your efforts will not only enhance your care but also make your visits with healthcare professionals more productive and less stressful.

Best of luck with your health!

Respectfully,
Sandra Anneman DNP