Talking to Your Doctor
Good doctor-patient communication results in healthier and happier patients... and happier doctors too! The bottom line: choose a doctor you can talk to.
Whether you have a new concern or you’ve had this health issue for some time, one thing is key for a successful visit: information. To figure out what the problem is and to create a treatment plan that works for you, your doctor needs information—from you. Healthy Advice—Get the Talk Started guides will help you work with your doctor on different health topics.
Select a topic from the list below. Then jot down the answers to the questions on the next page, print it out and bring it with you when you go for your next doctor’s appointment and share with your doctor. It could help you make the most of your visit.
By the Numbers
- 65 percent of medical schools now teach doctors how to talk with patients.
- When doctors communicate well, you see a 19 percent improvement in patients following doctor's orders.
- Only 58% of the time do doctors explain when and how often to take new medicines? If you've got an appointment with your doctor or considering making one, you can ask your doc for that information. And repeat what you hear back to your doctor so you're sure you've got it right. Take notes too!
- 63 percent of patients say they want to talk to their doctor about their out-of-pocket costs for medical care but only 15 percent of patients say they actually do it.
- The average primary care doctor will do 120,000 to 160,000 patient interviews during a 40-year career.
- Studies show that a less-than-five-minute conversation between doctor and patient can bring about changes in the patient's behavior.
- Miscommunication, NOT misdiagnosis, is the main reason for 25 percent of malpractice cases.
- Most doctors wait only 23 seconds before interrupting a patient who is describing a health issue. If not interrupted, most patients would talk less than two minutes.
- 25 to 50 percent of patients don't follow their doctor's orders.