Healthy Conversations: How to Talk to Your Doctor

Simple guidelines for making the most out of every office visit

By Lance Porter

Good diabetes management requires an ongoing relationship with your doctor and other health professionals. But doctors are busy people, and the average office visit is short. How do you make the most of it? Here are some simple guidelines.

Be prepared

If you have an office visit approaching, start preparing now. Write down questions that cross your mind. Include any new treatments or medicines you have heard about and may be interested in.

Also make a note of things you need to tell your doctor: for example, any new symptoms you’re experiencing or problems you’re having. Make a note of when these things occur and under what circumstances.

Then, before the office visit, get your thoughts organized. Rewrite your list, putting your most important questions and the most important things you need to say at the top. Then, when you’re face-to-face with your doctor, follow your script. This way, even if you’re nervous about the appointment or intimidated by the doctor, you’ll get your key questions answered and your points across. And your doctor will appreciate your efficiency!

Other essentials

• Remember your logbook. Bring this with you so your doctor can review the results of your blood glucose tests. If you use a blood glucose monitor with memory functions, bring it with you too.
• List your meds. If you’ve never done it before, make a list of every medication you’re taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, supplements, vitamins and herbs. Review the list with your doctor. (In lieu of a list you can take your medicine bottles with you.)
• Take notes. So you won’t forget, write down what your doctor tells you, either while he or she is talking or immediately afterward.
• Bring a friend. Consider bringing a family member or trusted friend with you to help you remember your questions and the doctor’s answers. It’s helpful to be able to talk about what you learned on the visit with someone else later.
• Don’t be shy! Make sure you understand what you’re being told. Even the best doctors sometimes slip up and use medical terminology the average person doesn’t understand. Don’t be afraid of looking stupid. Ask for an explanation of any word you don’t understand!

The importance of being honest

When talking with your doctor, it’s important to be totally honest. Pretending to be a better patient than you are can cause your doctor to make bad medical decisions. For example, if you’re not taking your medicine regularly but say you are, your doctor may prescribe a second medication you don’t really need. It’s much better to admit you’re missing doses, and discuss the reasons with your doctor.

Slow down!

It’s a fact of life: doctors are always in a hurry. There are always other people waiting to be seen. But don’t let yourself be rushed! It is vitally important that you understand exactly what you’re supposed to do to control your diabetes and any other medical issues you may have. So stand your ground. Don’t waste the doctor’s time, but don’t leave until your questions are answered, either. If your doctor is not willing or able to communicate with you in a way you can understand, then you need to find a new doctor.

Consider making a “diabetes appointment”

Your diabetes will be a topic in nearly all of your doctor’s appointments (foot care, eye care, etc.). However, it can be helpful to make an appointment that just focuses on your diabetes and perhaps save other complaints for another visit. This can help keep your diabetes management on target.

When you make such an appointment, inform office staff that it’s to discuss your diabetes care and ask if you have any lab tests due (e.g., A1C, lipid panel, microalbumin). If so, ask for a referral to get these tests done prior to your appointment. Some referrals are done electronically so you just need to show up at the lab. Otherwise you may need to make arrangements with the doctor’s office to pick up the referral form or have it mailed to you.

Ask your doctor for the results of your lab tests and make sure you understand what the numbers mean. If you’re not on target, your doctor may discuss medications or changes to your current regimen. Be sure to discuss lifestyle changes that might be required to help you reach your target—and get referrals for people and programs that can help (e.g., diabetes educator or dietician, smoking cessation program, weight loss program).

Be sure to discuss any other ways your diabetes may be affecting you—for example, if you’re feeling depressed, experiencing problems men’s or women’s sexual health issues or even having trouble with a medication regimen because you can’t afford it. It may be uncomfortable to discuss sensitive topics but your doctor has dealt with these issues and most of the time will be able to help you. Speak up!

Lance Porter is the editor of “Diabetes Positive!” magazine and the author of “28 Days to Diabetes Control!”