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Communicating With Your Doctor

Summary & Participants

Talking with your doctor can sometimes be difficult. Good health care, however, depends on an open dialogue between patients and doctors.

Medically Reviewed On: July 21, 2008

Webcast Transcript

RICK KELLERMAN, M.D.: Once we outline that management plan or that treatment plan, you have a right to say, "You know, I don't want to go that direction. I'm not sure I want to take that medication.”

ANNOUNCER: If patients choose to take medication, other questions may arise.

N. LEE RUCKER, M.S.P.H.: If cost is a concern, you really should let your doctor know that you might want to know what other lower cost options there would be. You might want to ask if perhaps there is a nonprescription medicine that could help you, or even if you could try some lifestyle changes before you would add a prescription or nonprescription medicine to your routine.

ANNOUNCER: Questions about alternative medicines may also come up.

RICK KELLERMAN, M.D.: If you are using alternative herbal supplements, over-the-counter medication, it's important for your physician to know that, because one of the things we need to do is monitor for medication interactions and side effects.

ANNOUNCER: Patients may sometimes feel uncomfortable asking their doctors about how often they do a procedure.

N. LEE RUCKER, M.S.P.H.: It is very valid for you as a patient to ask, "Well, how many of these have you done? What was your experience? Have you had any bad results?"

ANNOUNCER: During a routine visit to the doctor, patients may also have questions about topics that can be sensitive, difficult, or embarrassing to talk about like sexual dysfunction, incontinence, or mental health.

RICK KELLERMAN, M.D.: For example, "Doctor, I'm really embarrassed about this problem, but it's really important that I bring it up. It's really bothering me a lot. I am having problems with…" whatever that may be. And so expressing those feelings, setting the mood, setting the tone so that your physician knows how much it's bothering you, is very important to then going ahead and stating what the problem is.

ANNOUNCER: Good communication is an important part of the doctor-patient relationship. Talking to your doctor and asking questions is essential.

RICK KELLERMAN, M.D.: When I have a patient that asks questions, it tells me that this is a patient that is taking responsibility for their own health. They're getting engaged by asking the questions and, by getting those specific facts, it tells me that they're taking that responsibility.

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