Talking with your Doctor
Too often, you leave the doctor’s office, return home, and realize that you did not talk about some important matters or did not understand some of what the doctor said. The National Institute on Aging has published Talking with Your Doctor: A Guide for Older People to help you prepare for talking to your doctor. It provides helpful hints and practical steps for communicating more effectively with your doctors. The 29-page document includes the following major sections:
- Opening Thoughts
- Why Does It Matter? Choosing a Doctor You Can Talk to
- What Can I Do? Tips for Good Communication
- Where Do I Begin? Getting Started with a New Doctor
- What Should I Say? Talking about Your Health
- Can I Really Talk about That? Discussing Sensitive Subjects
- Who Else Will Help? Involving Your Family and Friends
- What’s Next? Some Closing Thoughts
- Getting More Information
- Additional Resources
You can print it out or read it online. You also can place bulk orders online.