Communicating with Healthcare Providers
Good communication is the foundation of building a working partnership. Communication takes time, effort and a willingness to work out differences together. When communicating with healthcare providers, being assertive is more helpful than being non-assertive. Not coming right out and asking for what you need, hinting or hoping the other person will read your mind wastes both your time and the healthcare provider’s time. By “beating around the bush”, needs do not get addressed and messages do not get properly conveyed.
When being assertive you express your feelings or opinion and make requests directly. You learn to ask rather than assume or guess. This can lead to improved care as wants and needs are more clearly presented and understood. Make your requests clear and concise. If you then need more information, you can follow-up with additional questions. When trying to determine what information needs to be conveyed, consider the following:
• What information do the various healthcare providers need to know about you?
• What do you need to know about “who does what” on the healthcare team?
• What questions do you have about the treatment that you are receiving?
Prepare a list of questions to ask the doctor, or information you want to give them. Clarify any instructions. If you are not sure that you understand, ask again until you get a satisfactory response. Use phrases such as “you mean that…”, “in other words…” or “does that mean…” If you don’t know the meaning of technical words used, ask. It also helps to set an agenda for these discussions. You will save time and you won’t be distracted trying to remember what you want to ask. Take a notebook to write down key points.
If you need information or have questions, don’t wait for the health care provider to contact you. Be proactive and give them a call, then follow-up if you don’t hear back from them. Keep in mind that although your health may be your number one priority, your doctor or healthcare provider has many other clients who are also demanding their attention. In reality you are simply one of many. It is important to be assertive and initiate discussions to ensure we obtain the information that we need. Be your own advocate.
When being assertive you express your feelings or opinion and make requests directly. You learn to ask rather than assume or guess. This can lead to improved care as wants and needs are more clearly presented and understood. Make your requests clear and concise. If you then need more information, you can follow-up with additional questions. When trying to determine what information needs to be conveyed, consider the following:
• What information do the various healthcare providers need to know about you?
• What do you need to know about “who does what” on the healthcare team?
• What questions do you have about the treatment that you are receiving?
Prepare a list of questions to ask the doctor, or information you want to give them. Clarify any instructions. If you are not sure that you understand, ask again until you get a satisfactory response. Use phrases such as “you mean that…”, “in other words…” or “does that mean…” If you don’t know the meaning of technical words used, ask. It also helps to set an agenda for these discussions. You will save time and you won’t be distracted trying to remember what you want to ask. Take a notebook to write down key points.
If you need information or have questions, don’t wait for the health care provider to contact you. Be proactive and give them a call, then follow-up if you don’t hear back from them. Keep in mind that although your health may be your number one priority, your doctor or healthcare provider has many other clients who are also demanding their attention. In reality you are simply one of many. It is important to be assertive and initiate discussions to ensure we obtain the information that we need. Be your own advocate.
Posted by Barb Small at 6/3/2010 4:13 PM 
Categories: Effective Communication, Assertive Communication, Communication Skills
Tags: clear communication Effective Communication assertiveness
Categories: Effective Communication, Assertive Communication, Communication Skills
Tags: clear communication Effective Communication assertiveness
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