How to Get What You Want from the Doctor – Getting Prepped

We found out earlier that bringing a list to the doctor’s office helps you be more self-contained and to the point.  Now it seems that the list if for the patient alone, as doctors regard these lists very poorly.  They really dislike your inadequate list.

Well, hold your own if you need one but be concise and direct.  For example, what are your symptoms?  When did become noticeable?  When do they appear?  How long do they last? Are they getting more difficult or less difficult?  How much do they intrude on your life?

Magic Words and Deeds in the Doctor’s Office

You can take charge of the situation without letting the doctor feel manipulated.  When you do speak, speak softly and calmly.  The doctor will jump out of his boots if you start sniveling and wringing your hands.  He simply cannot deal with an hysterical patient.  This is not the place to be a drama queen.

Additionally, here are a couple more suggestions.  Use neutral words in your descriptions.  If you have a tendency for flowery language with lots of emotion, leave it outside.  If you feel like you are going to perish in a few minutes, just tell the doctor you are dealing with considerable discomfort.  Do not be cute with the doctor, he will not appreciate it.  If you cannot sleep, simply state when you went to bed and when you awoke and you lost X amount of sleep.  Prioritize your list.  Put the most important issue at the top.  The doctor does not want to hear the problem just as he expected to exit the room.

Bring clarity into the office with you.  When the doctor enters, tell he/she what you have come about and what you hope the doctor can do.  Try to be empathetic with the doctor when he has dozens of patients waiting in the lobby to see him.  Acknowledge that you are aware of his stressful situation.  Then stick to it and be quick.

Be clean when you go to the doctor.  They don’t want to smell you anymore than you want to smell.  They will get away from you sooner.

Try to remain open when you are in the doctor’s office.  Many patients do not know about the human anatomy, yet they argue with the doctor at every turn.  Just as you don’t like to be interrupted mid-sentence, neither does your doctor.  It’s rude and it puts the doctor on the defensive.  Not good.

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3. How to Get What You Want from the Doctor – Good Patient, Bad Patient
4. How to Get What You Want from the Doctor – No-No’s
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