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Information for Patients and Caregivers
Strategies for communicating with your
health care professionals
Almost everyone feels better and more in
control of their treatment when they understand why it
is being given, as well as side effects that may happen.
However, many individuals have a difficult time talking
with their doctor or nurse. Some feel uncomfortable asking
questions or talking about their illness and treatment
because they’re afraid they might look foolish or ask
a silly question. Others may have difficulty because they
see their healthcare provider as a powerful person. Here
are some suggestions to help you talk with your providers:
How do I talk with my doctor and nurse
to get the information I need?
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Buy a notebook and write down all the
questions you want to ask.
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Bring a friend or family member to your
appointment to take notes or help you ask questions.
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Speak frankly with your doctor.
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Take notes during the appointment and
ask permission to tape record the visit so you can use
it as a reminder at home.
What should I tell my doctor and nurse?
- Tell them about any problems. Examples are:
- Physical functioning problems, symptoms such as nausea,
vomiting, pain or fatigue
- Emotional problems, such as anger, sadness or anxiety
- Financial problems because of your cancer or cancer
treatment
- Problems with doing your daily activities
- Need for assistance with physical function or managing
symptoms
- Repeat what you understand about your cancer or cancer
treatment and ask if what you said is correct.
- Symptoms to report: how severe (0-10 scale; 0 no symptom
to 10 worst imaginable symptom)
- Symptoms to report : how often throughout the day/week
they occur
- Ask your doctor to repeat anything you don’t understand
- Appreciate what your doctor is doing to help you and
tell him/her from time to time.
What should I know about my cancer and treatment?
- What medicines are involved in your treatment and their
side effects
- How long you will be on treatment
- How you might expect to respond to treatment
- When you should call your doctor or nurse
- Risks and benefits of treatment
- Other treatment that might be available
- Where you can go to get more information
- Understand that not all questions have answers
Where can I get more information?
Visit the Family Care Research Program at:
http://www.cancercare.msu.edu/ |
