Talking With Your Doctor Summary How well you and your doctor communicate with each other is one of the most important parts of getting good health care. Being prepared can help make the most of your visit. Here are some things you can bring: Lists of your concerns, any allergies and all the medicines, herbs, or vitamins you take A description of symptoms – when they started, what makes them better A trusted friend or family member A way to take notes during your appointment Make sure you understand your diagnosis and any treatments. Ask your health care provider to write down his or her instructions to you. If you still have trouble understanding, ask where you can go for more information. NIH Office of the Director Related Issues Be More Involved in Your Health Care: Tips for Patients Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Communicating with Professionals American Heart Association Getting a Second Opinion Before Surgery Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Let’s Talk…and Listen Amputee Coalition of America Living Well with a Serious Illness: Talking with Your Doctor When the Future Is Uncertain American College of Physicians Telehealth: When Technology Meets Health Care Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Physician-Patient Relations National Institutes of Health Start Here Communicating with Healthcare Professionals American Heart Association Questions to Ask Your Doctor Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Talking to Your Doctor National Eye Institute Talking to Your Doctor National Institutes of Health Talking with Your Doctor: Make the Most of Your Appointment National Institutes of Health Tips for Talking to Your Doctor American Academy of Family Physicians Understanding Your Doctors and Other Caregivers Joint Commission Children How to Talk to Your Child’s Doctor Nemours Foundation Talking to the Pharmacist (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Teenagers I’m a Guy. How Can I Talk to My Female Doctor about Certain Things? Nemours Foundation Talking to Your Doctor Nemours Foundation Working with doctors and nurses Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Seniors Living with Multiple Health Problems: What Older Adults Should Know AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Talking with Your Doctor National Institute on Aging Talking with Your Doctor: A Guide for Older People National Institute on Aging Tips for Talking with Your Doctor National Institute on Aging Array Make the most of your doctor visit Shared decision making Journal Articles Talking With Your Doctor Health Check Tools Question Builder: Be Prepared for Your Next Medical Appointment Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Your Health Priorities Tool Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Reference Desk Some Common Abbreviations National Library of Medicine Word Parts and What They Mean National Library of Medicine NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Straight Talk for Good Health Treatments and Therapies Time To Talk with Your Health Care Providers: 4 Tips to Start the Conversation National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Videos and Tutorials Understanding Medical Words: A Tutorial from the National Library of Medicine National Library of Medicine Encyclopedia When you feel like changing your medicine Latest News Doctor’s Empathy Boosts Patient Satisfaction HealthDay
