As much as we complain about our doctors, we need to do our part and open a line of communication with them so they can do their job more effectively in healing us. Most of us complain that our doctors make us wait and that the pills they give us don’t get the desired results quickly enough. However, do we think about how well we state what’s ailing us and how honest we are about our lifestyles and habits?

If we approach visiting the doctor as establishing a partnership, we will be much further along in attaining wellness. When your physician speaks, listen to them and pay attention. If anything needs clarifying, state exactly what it is that you do not fully understand.

Try to determine, for your particular health problem, what are the best steps to solve it and what you’re capable of doing and complying with in a positive way. Come up with a plan of action together, for example, to lose weight with the assistance and input from your doctor.
Make sure that your doctor gives you a choice of all of the treatment options available for your health concern. If you should find out that you have not been given that information, you will probably want to look for another doctor. You want to make sure your doctor keeps current on all of the latest treatment options.
Be prepared, as the patient, to have all of the information the doctor needs from you. It would be a good idea, if you are on a number of medications and your doctor is new to you, to write them all down. Inform your doctor if you have opted to discontinue or have been noncompliant in taking any of your medications as prescribed. Make your doctor aware of any allergies.
Keep a list of any signs and symptoms of concern, when they started and how often. Speak up if you’ve had sudden weight loss or gain or dizzy spells or upset stomach, for example, and how long ago. If we, as patients, make mental and written notes to address our concerns with our physicians, we will make them more efficient in their jobs and speed the healing process. With this approach and a willingness to comply with a partnership health plan, you will be on the path to wellness sooner from your visits to the doctor.