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March 31, 2023

Talking With Your Doctor

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Health Chatter
Talking With Your Doctor
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Stan and Clarence chat with Dr. Barry Baines on how to talk with your physician about general health and more serious illnesses.

Dr. Baines - after completing his medical training at Georgetown University Medical and residency at the University of Wisconsin Maddison - developed an extensive career in family medicine with sub-specialties in palliative and hospice care. In this episode, he details how to have those all-important, yet often difficult, conversations with your doctor.

Join the conversation at healthchatterpodcast.com

Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.More about their work can be found at http://huemanpartnership.org/

Research

  • How do we talk to our physicians about serious illnesses (and general health)? 
    • Where do we start? (to get information) 
      • How? 
      • Who? 
    • Important things to consider
      • Age 
        • Older patients tend to be more deferential and ask fewer questions, while younger patients often approach visits as informed consumers/more likely to express their doubts and concerned (American Heart Association) 
      • Reason for appointment/visit 
        • For example → annual visit v. appointment after critical diagnosis 
      • Emotional aspects (i.e. support, empathy, guidance, shame, embarrassment, stigma, etc.) 
        • For example → “only about 44 percent of men who have experienced a sexual health problem discussed it with their spouse or partner(s)...only half of them consulted a medical professional” (Men’s Health) 
      • Religion and spirituality 
      • Friends and family (bring someone with you to the doctor, if possible) 
    • Tips (Johns Hopkins)

 

  • Set an agenda 

 

      1. Visits can be short, so plan exactly what you want to talk/ask about ahead of time
      2. American Heart Association provides a print-out guide to help patients prepare for their visits 

 

  • Be honest

 

      1. Don’t be afraid to be transparent about the things you are worried about; providing social, lifestyle, and relationship context can help provide the whole scope of concern 
      2. “Sometimes, just getting those first words out is the hardest part, especially if your doctor doesn’t have the most engaging bedside manner” (Men’s Health) 

 

  • Ask questions (and take notes) 

 

      1. Ask your physician to clarify anything you don’t understand and repeat it back to make sure you understand 
      2. “There’s no such thing as a dumb question” 

 

  • Work collaboratively

 

    1. For example, if your doctor recommends a treatment, share your concerns/worries (ask your physician to compare/contrast multiple options so you can make the best decision for yourself) 
    2. “As a patient, you are not powerless when it comes to effective communication in the exam room and after you leave” (U.S News)

 

  • Additional questions and topics 

 

    • Doctors have biases → how do patients address that with their physicians? 
      • “Women face a slew of unfair biases when receiving health care that can lead to misdiagnosis” (Women’s Health)
      • Medicine has a history of discriminating against and silencing people of color  
      • People living with “invisible” illnesses also struggle to feel validated and see

Sources