Good general info for anyone of any age, no matter what symptoms or disease you may have.
by John Beale
Good communication between patients and their health-care practitioners is essential for good care. To help older adults better communicate with their health-care providers, the American Geriatrics Society's Foundation for Health in Aging has released a new, easily understandable tip sheet.
The tip sheet, "How to Talk to Your Healthcare Practitioner: Tips on Improving Patient-Practitioner Communication," outlines steps older adults and their caregivers can take before, during and after a visit to a practitioner. These steps help ensure practitioners, older patients and their caregivers get the information they need. The tip sheet is available online at: http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/communication_tips.php.
Before visiting a health-care provider, the tip sheet advises older people to, among other things, make a list of any symptoms or health problems they have, as well as past health problems, any treatments they've undergone and any adverse reactions to treatments they have had.
Bring medications
It also encourages older adults to put the medications, supplements and other remedies they're taking in a bag and bring it to their appointment. That way, their practitioner can see what they're taking and at what doses - important information, since medications may interact and some may affect medical test results.
The tip sheet also advises older adults who don't speak English as a first language to consider looking for a practitioner who speaks their native tongue, bring along a bilingual buddy to translate or call the office and request a translator ahead of time.
The tip sheet encourages older patients and their caregivers to answer all questions frankly, to request explanations when needed and to ask follow-up questions, such as "Are there any risks associated with this treatment?" and "Are there any alternative treatments?"
Understanding is vital
It also suggests patients and caregivers repeat back what their providers tell them about their health and treatments to ensure they've understood correctly.
After an appointment, the tip sheet advises older patients to contact their practitioner's office if they don't feel better, if they have an adverse reaction to a medication or other treatment or if they realize they've forgotten to mention something important that's relevant to their health.
Other easy-to-read health tip sheets for older adults and their caregivers cover such topics as cold and immunizations, falls prevention, emergency planning, and joint replacement surgery for older people.
Anyone who does not have online capability may call the Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555 for tip sheet copies.
From http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090629/COLUMNISTS06/906290301/1005/LIFE
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How to Talk to Your Healthcare Practitioner: Tips on Improving Patient-Practitioner Communication
The list mentioned in the article from http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/communication_tips.php
Good communication between you and your healthcare practitioners -- the physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals you see -- is essential to good care.
It's important that you give your practitioner the information about yourself and your health that he or she needs to provide quality care. And it's important that he or she explain what you need to do to stay as healthy as possible, in a way that you understand.
Here's what experts with the American Geriatrics Society's Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA), suggest:
Before your appointment
Make a list Visiting a healthcare professional can be stressful -- particularly if you're not feeling well -- and stress can make it harder to remember what you need to tell and ask your practitioner. So make a list and bring it to your appointment. Write down any health problems you have had or do have, and any surgery or other treatments you've undergone. Write down the names of any medications you've taken that have caused unpleasant or dangerous side effects. If you're sick, write down all of your symptoms.
And don't forget to write down any questions about your health that you might have. You can find comprehensive lists of questions that older adults should consider asking their healthcare practitioners - organized by subject - on "Aging in the Know" (www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/questions_trial.asp), the FHA's free senior health website.
Bring your medications, vitamins, and other remedies to your appointment Before leaving for your visit, put all of the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbs, vitamins, and other supplements you take in a bag. Take them with you and show them to your healthcare practitioner. This way, he or she will know exactly what you're taking, when, and at what doses. This is important because some drugs, herbs and supplements can interact with medications your practitioner might prescribe. They might also affect the results of certain medical tests.
Pack paper Bring paper or a notebook to your appointment so you can write down what your healthcare professional tells you. If you have trouble remembering later on, you can look at your notes.
Consider asking a buddy along A family member or close friend who goes with you when you see your healthcare professional can offer your practitioner information that you might forget or overlook. He or she can also help you remember what your healthcare practitioner says. If you want to discuss something with your practitioner alone, you can always ask your relative or friend to leave the room while you do so.
Call ahead to request a translator if necessary If English is not your first language, you might seek out a healthcare practitioner who speaks your native language. Other options include bringing a bilingual buddy with you to your appointment, or calling your practitioner's office ahead of time and asking if staff can supply a translator.
During your appointment
Answer questions honestly It's essential that you answer all of the questions your healthcare practitioner asks you, even if he or she asks about topics that might make you uncomfortable, such as mental health problems, drinking, and sex. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Your practitioner needs complete information to provide proper care. And everything you tell him or her is confidential.
Ask questions If you don't understand what your healthcare professional tells you during your visit, ask him or her to explain it. You need to -- and have a right to -- understand what your practitioner says. It's particularly important that you understand any treatments he or she recommends. You should ask if there are any risks associated with treatments, and if there are any alternatives.
Mention any cultural or religious traditions that might affect your care If your healthcare practitioner recommends that you eat foods that your religion prohibits, for example, or if you need to fast at certain time of the year, tell him or her.
Repeat back After your healthcare professional explains what you should do to stay healthy, or to treat a health problem, repeat this back to him or her using your own words. You might start by saying, "So, you're telling me that I should…." If you've misunderstood his or her advice, your practitioner will realize this, and clarify.
Ask for written instructions If your healthcare practitioner puts his or her advice in writing, you can refer to the written instructions at any time.
After your appointment
Call your practitioner's office if you don't feel better, have a bad reaction to medications, or realize you forgot to mention something If you don't feel better after your visit, or seem to be having a bad reaction to medication your healthcare professional prescribed, call his or her office immediately. You should also call if you realize, after leaving the office, that you neglected to ask a question or provide information about your health, or didn't understand what your healthcare practitioner said. Ask to speak with your practitioner as soon as he or she is available or ask to speak to another healthcare professional in the office who can help you.
Communication between you and your healthcare practitioner is an ongoing process. The simple tips above can help improve communication. Improved communication means better understanding, diagnosis and treatment.
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