Dealing with doctors can be frightening sometimes, not to mention stressful. You’re already worried about being ill or injured, and doctors don’t always come across as the most natural communicators. Connecting with patients is part of their job, though, and there are certain things your doctors can do to help you feel more comfortable and make sure you understand everything happening. If they’re not using different communication methods, you can speak to them about it or ask to see someone else. These are some ways your doctor might talk to you, and how you can ask them to help you. It’s all about having effective doctor patient communication to best help you.
Speaking in Your Language
Doctors sometimes can’t help talking in medical jargon. They know a lot of big, scientific words, and sometimes it’s hard for them to remember that not everyone understands those terms. However, most doctors will try their best not to use too much jargon when speaking to patients.
They can explain things in simple language instead, even when the concept appears to be complicated. If you feel like you don’t understand something, ask your doctor to put it more simply and they can explain it in a different way. They might also be able to suggest some resources to read or give you some useful materials about your injury or another issue.
Images for Better Doctor Patient Communication
Doctors will also often use visual information to help you understand something. For example, they might show you an X-ray or ultrasound image so that you can see something they found.
Specifically, hospitals and medical clinics often use special wall-mounted workstations for healthcare that are designed to easily move around. This maneuverability helps doctors and nurses to turn them into the right position, while also maintaining privacy.
If you feel like seeing something visually would be helpful, then ask for it, whether it’s an image, chart, or video. That assertiveness is a way to better doctor patient communication.
Be Open, Honest, And Clear About Your Issue
If you really want to get to the bottom of your problem, you have to make sure that you are clear and concise about the problems you are facing. So many people out there will be very vague due to nerves or forgetfulness. They might feel a little embarrassed about certain things that are going on in their life or about things that they have experienced. The best thing to do is to open up and let these people understand exactly what is happening. Regardless of whether you are heading in for Hearing Tests or whether you have a seriously worrying issue going on with your chest, make sure you do not leave out any important pieces of information.
Body Language and Gestures
Medical professionals will also often use body language or various gestures in doctor patient communication.
However, this might be something you want them to stop doing, rather than something you might ask them to do. For example, a doctor might put their hand on your shoulder to comfort you. But if that’s uncomfortable, then ask them not to do it.
Of course, you might welcome other communication. Especially if you want your doctor to be more friendly and less clinical.
Allowing You Time to Talk
It’s important that doctors also listen to their patients, as well as talking to them in the right way. Whenever you talk to a doctor, they should allow you the time to ask questions or say any personal concerns. If they don’t, then make your wishes known to them directly.
Or, if you’re not comfortable doing so, approach someone else and let them know your worries. Sometimes having a colleague or superior ask a doctor to modify their communication strategy can be more effective.
The Takeaway on Doctor Patient Communication
It can be difficult to feel comfortable when talking to doctors. But remember that you, as the patient, are the one who is in charge. If you need more explanation or want to change anything, then ask your doctor.
Photo by by studioroman (Canva Free Content License).
very interesting article, thanks so much for sharing
Thanks for appreciating this post on “doctor speak”!
Excellent advice! And always important to make notes to ask when we get there, because if you’re like me, you’ll forget if you don’t. :) xxx
Great post Christy. I’m fortunate to have a doctor who is also an excellent communicator. Related to your last point (time for questions), one of the things I do is also prepare a short list of updates and questions. I usually spend about an hour on this before my annual physical for example. My doctor has become so accustomed to this, she will now ask for it. I get all my questions answered and it creates efficiency for her.
Excellent that you come prepared with questions for the doctor, Dave. Your comments and reads are always appreciated.
Great post 👍
Thanks for being here, Gail 🌞
You are very welcome xx
<3
So very true. Very well written. A good doctor always follows this. Connecting to patients is very important. If I don’t feel so ,I never c the same doctor again.
Keep searching for the right doctor. There are some good one out there. I went through 6 gastrointestinal physicians before finding one who didn’t try to shuffle me out the door after 5 minutes.
I’m glad you finally found a doctor that met your expectations (and that you didn’t settle for less than that!) xo
I’ve had some pretty miserable experiences with doctors unfortunately. The latest I’m posting about tomorrow. I was never told the truth about cholesterol and because of what was happening with my life, I did not do my own research. I have now! Not only did I write about my experience but I am leaving a whole list of links for those women who take great care in keeping themselves healthy …. Thank YOU, Christy, for this important information!
Excellent post Christy, My mum has been under medical review for over 50 years now and while the medical care is important it is the quality of the interpersonal interaction that really matters when somebody is ill and at their most vulnerable!
I find doctors are crunched for time by the firm they work for and by ins. companies. Most are only allowed 15 min. per visit. You sometimes have to push for extra time to get the info you need. The system is flawed, not the overworked health professionals.
Doctors can really do a lot better.
Hi Christy! 😀🌺 I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award! http://simplychrissyblog.com/2018/04/05/blog-73-the-sunshine-blogger-award/
Cheers! ❤️✌🏽
Great post, Christy. Thanks for sharing!
Great post Christy. I’ve always found it helpful to have someone with me, especially if surgery is involved. And I have been a patient advocate for my son. It can be extremely overwhelming and having another set of ears is so helpful.
Love this, we all need help from time to time (support is important and may be different for each of us physically, mentally, and spiritually) https://www.pinterest.com/mfnaughton/out-of-the-darkness/help/
Your share and comment are appreciated :)
Great post. I especially like the last suggestion. How many doctors really take the time to get to know their patient? Perhaps part of it is our flawed health care systems.
Agreed! I worked for a huge healthcare corporation and they only cared about numbers. I was timed every time I went in to a room with a patient. Systems were being set in place to limit interaction with patients. They were even talking about removing waiting rooms because it was a “waste” of money and space. It was all about numbers.
In the end it is all about the money. I read old books and see movies where Doctors made house calls. It sounds like another world. Hey nice talking to you.
Working in healthcare as a nurse these points were so important for me when communicating with my patients. I have no problem spending extra time with patients if need be for the extra quality of care. It’s fortunate when you find a doctor or nurse who is willing to do so in today’s world. I worked for a company who wanted numbers. They wanted to put specific, care inappropriate, flow of patient care. We were timed in rooms and had to do specific things that were just not in the patients’ best interests. I quit needless to say. I work for an amazing Dr now who doesn’t care how much extra time we spend with patients as long as we’re putting out quality care. Thank you for sharing Christy! :)
Wow as a doctor, this is really helpful for me. Most of the times its effective communication that helps relieve patient’s anxiety about any procedure. Appreciated !
So great to know it’s helpful for you!
I was always fortunate to have such wonderful doctors and therapist that were down to earth and made me understand what was happening to me. Communication is key. :)