Effective Strategies for Communicating with Your Physician

How To Talk With Your Physician

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to make the most of your telehealth and in-person medical appointments. With advancements in technology, healthcare has taken a giant leap from conventional visits, giving you options and the ability to meet with your doctor from the comfort of your own home. Lummi Island Health and Wellness is at the forefront of this transformation, offering an effective Telehealth program that enables patients to consult with physicians in the comfort of their homes. The information below, written by Dr. Paul Beck, a Seattle-based physician specializing in Gerontology, will arm you with practical tips to establish effective communication with your physician, ensuring a seamless appointment  experience. From preparing for your appointment to post-visit follow-ups, we're covering all aspects to ensure you get the most out of your virtual or in-person visit. Advanced preparation is the most effective way to communicate with your physician:

Because your physician has limited time during a telehealth appointment or office visit, you may prefer to focus on one or two 'problems' that are of interest to the physician. Other factors to consider:

1) Physician specialty orientation, where the physician’s area of medical knowledge does not match the patient's symptoms or physical problems.

2) Where physician may not be familiar with the patient’s current or past use of medications.

3) Concurrent problems under the care of another physician or health care provider.

Before each office appointment or virtual conference via Zoom or telephone:

• Prepare a list of questions relevant to the scheduled appointment.

• Submit your 3 most important questions to the physician via MyChart or by

US Postal Service, preferably at least 1-2 weeks before the appointment. This will focus the physician on your concerns. Otherwise, physicians try to guess what is important to you or even ignore your concerns.

• Ask the physician to order their usual blood screening tests or other

routine test at the time you schedule your appointment and get the lab work done a few days before your scheduled appointment. If the tests results are available to the physician when you appear for your appointment, you will be able to speak face to face with the physician about the meaning of those results.

• Hand a copy of the questions to the nurse assistant that leads you to the

  examination room.

• Update your list of medications before you go. Note when new medications have been recently started or discontinued (and why) Bring the updated medication list to the appointment.

  
  

  During the in-person or virtual appointment:

• If in person, hand a copy of the questions to the nurse assistant that leads you to

  he examination room.

• Bring the updated medication list to the appointment.

• Bring a friend or family member to the appointment and, if in person, into the

  examination room to listen, and when necessary to ask to clarify physician’s

  instructions or answers to questions.

• Bring to your appointment a second copy of your questions and a pen. Either you

  or your friend writes down the answers besides each question.

  
  

  After the physician leaves the examination room:

• Be certain to obtain a printed summary of the visit. Be certain you understand

  the physician’s treatment plan, recommendations, and/or medication changes.

  
  

  After your appointment:

• Write up for yourself a summary of what transpired during the appointment. If

  you have a friend or family member with you, consult with them to make sure you do not leave anything out.

• If there are questions or concerns upon returning home, write them down

  cogently and send them to the physician via MyChart or by US Postal Service.

In conclusion, effective communication is the key to a successful appointment online or in-person. Proper preparation before the appointment along with clarification on any post-appointment concerns is crucial. At Lummi Island Health and Wellness, we strive to tackle the gaps in patient-physician communication and advocate for successful patient outcomes through our Telehealth program. Our goal is to support you as you tackle the use of innovative technology with your medical providers, and take advantage of person-centered healthcare from the comfort of your home or at our Resource Center. Through this program, we aim to proactively give you resources, ensuring you receive superb care regardless of your circumstances. Here's to your health and bridging those gaps in communication!

Dr. Paul Beck is a geriatrician in Seattle, Washington. He received his medical degree from University of Colorado School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.