It’s no secret that doctors seem always to be busy. As a patient, this can be frustrating. Your health issue is very important to you. If the doctor barely listens to you for all of five minutes before running on to the next appointment, are you sure you’re getting proper care? Or is this rushed approach going to lead to mistakes and oversights?
There are ways to get the doctor to listen. Here are a few tips to remember on your next office visit.
Slow the conversation down with helpful narratives
For instance, don’t just say that you’re having back pain. Say that you were lifting something at work, and you noticed a sharp pain. It was worse the next morning. You may just feel like you’re telling a story, but these details slow the conversation down and provide helpful insights.
Write down all of the questions you have
One of the biggest complaints people have is that they forgot a question and remembered it later at home. To avoid this, make a list of questions in advance. Don’t let the appointment end until you have asked them all.
Be kind and respect the doctor’s time
Your doctor isn’t just pretending to be busy. Respect that by being on time, waiting patiently and being respectful and assertive during your appointment. The doctor will pay better attention to what you’re saying and you’re likely going to get better care as a result.
What if mistakes still happen?
These tips help, but medical malpractice is still common. If this happens to you, take the time to look into your legal rights to compensation.
