How do you talk to your doctor in a way that he will listen?

Question

I live in a poor area where most people are uneducated, so doctors tend to not always take their patients very seriously. I think I was misdiagnosed by a previous doctor, and this diagnosis has meant that I have been rejected for health insurance two times. How can I tell this doctor that I think I have a different problem in a way that he will listen instead of dismiss? So that I don't sound like a know-it-all or very stupid?

yeah, this IS a new doctor. My last doctor only cared about $$. I just don't have a lot of money to go from dr to dr (thanks to her diagnosis, which COULD be right, but I wish she had been more thorough, and I fit more symptoms for something completely different and easier to treat) and want to do this right the first time.

Answer 1

Take a list of questions with you to the doctor and tell him that you have researched and want to see if he could answer some questions that your research as raised.

Answer 2

Everybody, whether poor, rich, or the working person, has the right to have a good reading in a doctors appointment. If your doctor isn't going to give you what you need then drop him and go to another doctor. And don't be afraid to ask him questions just because you don't want to sound like a know-it-all or sound stupid. How else are you going to learn if you don't ask questions? Remember, the only stupid question is the question that was never asked in the first place.

Answer 3

it's true doctor s are sensitive to the know it all attitude so ditch that first. USE "I" statements that keep th other person from becoming defensive. Rather than "you dont listen to me" say I feel ignored when I list symptoms and then the symptoms are not addressed in our conversation" Lookat a list of :feeling words and work them into your I statements. You cant say "I feel you are callous" It has to be YOUR feeling to make the I staement method work. It takes practice but it works!!!
Approach it as concerns rather than complaints. Word it thatyou are confused about...or puzzled about....etc" rather than wording it as why can't you do such and such" etc.
Try writing down concerns-(be brief0 on a paper and tell him her that you wrote a few things down casue you were afriad of forgetting or you might get nervous, then hand it to him. Let him read it out loud if possible, number the concerns(limit to about 3 if possible) so he can refer to each one by number and will be forced to address them all. Then you take notes as well on what he says, at the end, repeat back to him how you understand it(reflective listening) I.E., so what I hear you saying is that the answer to #1 concern is...blah blah blah, .Then if he feels he didn't word his answer correctly, he has the chance to modify it. At teh end, express your thansk for him listening and taking you seriously, state which issues you are still not confident about, and how you are going to make the efforts as the patient responsibility piece to get better(ie quit smoking, get exercise,decrease stress, mke an appt with a specialist if he recommends it) Try it out

Answer 4

I think you should find another doctor. You can't tell doctor-gods anything, but they like to tell you. Before you do, contact the person in his office doing the billing and let her know what happened. Tell her you cannot return until this matter is taken care of.

Go to a metropolitan area, where there are better doctors (small towns have some of the worst doctors...I know I live in one). Seek out a doctor in the field of your problem.

Answer 5

I've had fairly good luck with things like this when I take evidence with me. Is there something you have read that makes you think that you were misdiagnosed? Did you find it on the internet? Print it out, take it with you, ask him to just scan it quickly (they are always in a hurry) and put it in your file. Tell him you would like a "SECOND OPINION" -- those are the magic words that let them know they are reviewing a situation in which the patient feels something was handle incorrectly.

Answer 6

Ask him to explain his reasoning to you. Tell him you've been reading up on the subject and explain that you cannot tell what he's diagnosed from what you think it is based on the information you have. Ask him to explain why he rejected your alternate hypothesis. Take notes. Lastly ask him for the name of an appropriate specialist. Have the specialist review the diagnosis.

Answer 7

Just be honest and tell him/she everything that you can to help him/her make a good diagnosis. After all, without the proper information they can only guess at what the problem might be.

Answer 8

i find doctors can be llike that sometimes. But you have the right to treatment that you can be happy with. If talking to your doctor clearly does not work, can you change doctors? I would suggest that as your health is important!

Answer 9

Tell Him that you have a list of questions and would appreciate it if he would give you the time to decuss them. If this doesn't work tell him look I pay you to take care of me, so, that means you WORK for me. Now do you want to get paid or not. Believe me this has worked for me just try it.

Answer 10

You tell the doctor, "Excuse me, but will you please listen to me? I'm concerned and I came to you for advise. Will you please treat me like a human being and not a cadaver and answer my questions, please?"

If that doesn't get his/her attention, then find another doctor.