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There are more tests, medications and medical procedures
available today than ever before. And yet, one of the most
important tools you need to receive quality medical care is one
of the oldest. It’s communication. If you and your doctor and
other members of your health care team are talking openly and
sharing information, you should receive quality care.
Granted, it’s not always easy to talk to your doctor. He or she
may seem hurried or you may feel like you shouldn’t bring up
another, seemingly unrelated matter. Some of us feel a little
intimidated by our physicians, too. The first thing is to be sure
you have a doctor with whom you are comfortable. You need to have
confidence in his or her abilities and feel that he or she is
relatively easy to talk to and understand.
As a SCAN member, you can have confidence in the quality of the
physicians in our network. But we realize the doctor-patient
relationship is important and can’t be determined simply by a
physician’s qualifications. So, if you’ve selected a personal
care doctor and haven’t been able to get comfortable with him or
her after a few visits, you’re welcome to change. To select a new
personal care doctor, simply call SCAN Member Services. Here are
some tips to help you make the most of your doctor visits:
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Speak up. Report symptoms and ask questions. |
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Be honest. If you’re not taking a medication, say so. If you don’t understand what’s being said, ask again. |
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Talk to other members of the team. Nurses and physician assistants are well qualified and may have the time to explain something more fully. |
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Take notes so you can look up additional information later (at the library or on the internet). |
There’s a difference between being compliant and being passive.
You need to strike a balance between being compliant with your
treatment while still being assertive – letting your doctor know
if there’s a problem, a complication, or a side effect that’s
become intolerable. Work with your doctor, his or her support
staff and any other health providers you’re seeing. The more you
are involved in and understand your care, the better you’ll feel.
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