Quality Health Care and You - Diabetes

Talking with Your Healthcare Providers

Many people with chronic medical problems often feel frustrated as they try to get answers about their medical care. Here are a few suggestions to help make your doctor appointments more successful:

1. Remember that sometimes doctors (all doctors) do not know the answers you want. While medicine is a science, it is an evolving one, and not everything is known. Sometimes the best that doctors can do is tell you what you do NOT have, and they may not be able to give you that specific answer your want.

2. Medicine is also an art, and some doctors are better than others. Don't hesitate to get a second opinion if you want to.

3. Learning to be assertive for your own health is important. Here are some ways to help you get the answers you need:

Keep a notebook with your questions and symptoms in it. Bring it with you to all your appointments, so you remember what you want to tell and ask the doctor.
Write down what the doctor tells you, or have the doctor write things down for you.
Bring an advocate with you. If you are uncomfortable asking questions, bring a friend or family member who can ask for you.

Here are a couple of web sites that can help you with advice on communicating with your physician:

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Last Reviewed: Jun 05, 2008

Nancy Elder, MD
Associate Professor
Department of Family Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati