Content Overview 
- Summary
- Tell The Doctor Everything That He Or She Needs To Know
- Be Open And Honest With Your Doctor
- Ask Everything You Need To Know
- If You Are Asked A General Question, Answer It Precisely
- Use Medical Terms Whenever Possible
- Be Sure You Understand What The Doctor Tells You
- If You Ask Questions About Research You've Done Or Information You've Learned, Give The Doctor A Copy Or The Citation
- Learn What To Do If You Have Additional Questions
- Let The Doctor Know What You Hope To Accomplish In The Meeting
- Keep The Playing Field Level
- Don't Expect The Same Relationship With All Your Doctors
- Be Proactive
- Do What You Are Comfortable With To Make Yourself An Individual To The Doctor
- Expect The Best From Your Doctor
- If You Are Age 65 or Older, Watch For Doctors Who Think About Your Age Before Your Symptoms
- Learn How To Deal With Problems That May Arise In Meetings With Doctors
- At The End Of The Appointment, Recap What Happened. Ask Where To Learn More. Keep Your Other Doctors To Date
- If You Are Grateful To Your Doctor, Show It
- Do Not Avoid Sensitive Subjects
How To Maximize Limited Time With Your Doctor
Ask Everything You Need To Know
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Getting the information you need is important for your health. Ask:
- Your list of questions and concerns, with the most important items first. Don't wait until the end of your appointment -- bring them up right away. Don't just ask such a general question as "What will happen?" Narrow the focus of your question. For example: "What symptoms can I expect?" "Will it affect my ability to work?" etc. Don't be put off if you don't get to ask all your questions. If there are some left over that seem important to you, ask the doctor when the two of you can discuss them. (Survivorship A to Z provides a Prioritizer to help keep track of your questions or concerns as they arise, and then to prioritize them before your doctor's appointment).
- About anything that does not seem clear. If you don't say anything, the doctor will assume that you understand, or already know the answer or that you don't want more information. There may be uncertainty in medicine, but something is wrong if there is mystery. For example, you can say: "I want to make sure I understand. Could you explain that a little more?" or "I did not understand that word. What does it mean?"
- Perhaps the doctor can show you a model or point you to a graphic or draw something for you. This would be particularly helpful if you are a visual person: a person who understands better when you see things.
- If the subject is changed before you understand, then return to the subject before the end of the meeting, or call afterward for an explanation. The easiest way to confirm you understand is to repeat what was said, but repeat it in words you understand.
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Prioritizer
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