Growing Your Patient-Doctor Relationship

Even for minor illnesses, it’s always best to get a medical professional’s advice. Patients with good relationships with their doctor may simply be able to send them a quick email with their symptoms rather than going to the office. A new study found that patients with better relationships with their doctors actually have better health outcomes.This makes perfect sense. People who don’t really like their doctors will avoid seeing them, so their health problems get left untreated. Others might even lie to their doctors. It is vital for a full recovery that the problem not only gets treated by a medical professional but that the patient isn’t hiding anything either.The study was conducted by a group of doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital. The analyzed 13 control trials. Every doctor underwent training to improve patient interaction. Overall the study found that as doctor-patient relationships improved, so did the patient’s health. The doctors claimed that the overall improvement was synonymous to taking aspirin every day to lower the risk of a heart attack.One researcher explained that diabetic patients are more likely to follow a strict schedule of monitoring their blood sugar if they feel comfortable with their doctor. Overall, the doctors believe that the findings were “common sense.”So as a patient, how can you take steps to improve your relationship with medical professionals?

1. Prepare for the appointment. In addition to getting their on time, bring a list of all the names of your medications, including over-the-counter. Also, write down any and all health problems you have been experiencing.
2. Prioritize your problems. Doctors tend to be on a strict schedule, so modify your needs to fit within a 30-minute window. Start with the most severe symptoms. If everything doesn’t get addressed, schedule a second appointment.
3. Don’t just share the complaint, share the concern. If you are having pain in your knee, don’t just tell the doctor that. Explain why the pain in your knee is a concern.
4. Get all the information you need. Once you leave the doctor’s appointment, you are responsible for your health care. Don’t worry about interrupting the doctor. You need to get all the information so you can take care of yourself properly.
5. Ask how to reach your doctor after hours. Every doctor should have some way to contact them when they are not in the office. Whether it is a cell number or email, get this information.
6. Learn how to use EHR. Electronic health records aren’t just for doctors. Patients are able to access the portal for their records and educational material.
7. Record your visit. Doctors use a lot of complicated words during an appointment. Write everything down, so you won’t forget anything.
8. If the doctor isn’t meeting your needs, tell them. Doctors are very busy people so they won’t always know if you are satisfied with their care. Let them know how to fix it if they aren’t doing a good job.

When you are in need of the radiologists Las Vegas trusts most, visit Steinberg Diagnostic. The medical professionals are trained to give every patient the care they deserve. Now that you have the proper steps to take on your part, you can be sure to have the best patient-doctor experience. For more information about medical imaging Las Vegas, contact 702.732.6000.