For seniors, staying healthy often involves frequent visits with various healthcare practitioners. Whether it’s a wellness check or an encounter for a specific concern, clear communication is vital. It brings peace of mind, builds stronger relationships, and can help you get better results. Top-notch healthcare professionals will generally make a sincere effort to connect with the people they serve, but good communication is a two-way street. Patients also have a role to play. These tips for communicating with healthcare professionals can help you prepare so that you can clearly express your thoughts, concerns, and questions.
Keep Basic Health Information Handy
When you visit a doctor, they typically want to verify your identity and insurance. Many will also want to confirm that they have an accurate medication list. Keeping your ID, insurance card, and list of medications handy so that you’re ready to verify this information will make your visit smoother.
Make a List
Why are you seeing the doctor? What concerns, questions, or symptoms do you have? Before your visit, make a brief list. Bring it with you to your appointment. Doing so makes it easier to remember everything you intend to discuss while you’re with the doctor.
Bring a Friend
As the National Institutes of Health points out, it can be helpful to bring a friend, family member, or caregiver to appointments. Having someone with you can increase your comfort — and provide backup in case you forget something.
Having a companion during health visits can be especially helpful if you are hard of hearing, have language difficulties, are used to having someone assist you with your healthcare, or are nervous about your appointment. For the best results, talk with the person accompanying you about your expectations before you go. Are they there just to listen? Do you expect them to ask the doctor questions about your care? Would you like them to take notes? Having their role defined can prevent conflict.
Be Courteous
Healthcare settings can be busy and stressful. Waits are common, and people can be cranky. Be courteous and kind when communicating with healthcare professionals and interacting with their support staff. They’ll appreciate it.
Take Notes
Healthcare professionals tend to provide valuable advice or feedback when you meet with them. Taking brief notes can help you remember it. If you bring a trusted companion, they can take notes for you.
Be Honest
Some health issues can make you feel vulnerable or embarrassed. There’s a very real temptation to downplay them. However, honesty is important to secure an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Don’t be afraid to tell the truth. Is the doctor not asking about something you consider important? Bring it up.
Ask Questions
Healthcare professionals are taught to limit jargon and use everyday language when speaking with patients. They’re also encouraged to watch faces and body language to verify the patient’s understanding. However, there are inevitably times when the message doesn’t come across clearly at first. Questions help doctors know what needs clarification. Don’t hesitate to ask when you don’t understand. If an explanation doesn’t make sense, it’s okay to ask again. Your doctor may explain it a different way or direct you to a resource that does.
Discover How to Access Your Records
Many medical offices now offer patient portals or similar features. These provide online access to visit notes, test results, diagnoses, treatment plans, and more. Having this information makes it easier to prepare for appointments, so learning how to access it is worthwhile.
Follow Up
It may be another wellness check in six months. Or, it may be a return visit because the symptoms you were worried about haven’t resolved. If you were directed to follow up under specific circumstances, it’s important to do so. This protects your health and prevents gaps in care.
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Communicating with healthcare professionals effectively is a valuable skill. It can make medical appointments more comfortable and contribute to better care. At Waterstone on Augusta, we understand the value of receiving quality care in a familiar setting with people you know nearby. That’s why we offer our residents the following programs: physician services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.
Are you looking for a premier assisted living and memory care community in the heart of downtown Greenville, South Carolina? Visit us at Waterstone on Augusta. We strive to enhance the quality of life of the seniors we serve through teamwork and unity and work to provide a relaxing and supportive atmosphere for our residents. To learn more about our amenities and to view our lovely community, please schedule a tour, send us a message online, or call us today at 864-605-7236.