Health Literacy consists of the skills needed to live a healthy life, navigate the healthcare system in sickness and in health, and respond appropriately in a public health crisis. In order to do any of those things well, you must be able to communicate well. Communicating with your medical provider is a key skill to both living a health life and navigating the healthcare system in sickness. There are several moments in an Emeergency Room or Urgent Care Center where good patient communication leads to better care and, ultimately, better health for you.
As you enter the Emergency Room or Urgent Care Center, being able to calmly and concisely state what is wrong, helps the triage desk evaluate your condition. Using the same words for pain that doctors use (throbs, aches, dull, sharp, constant) and being very specific about where you hurt (my kneecap, along the outside of my leg, behind my knee) helps speed the diagnosis process along. "My knee hurts" is just not enough information.
During the visit, you will probably get snippets of info as the medical team works to discover what is wrong with you. Be calm about not having good information as they search for what is wrong. Doctors do not like to speak until they know for sure what is going on with your body. Patiently explaining everything over and over to each new team member gives you the best chance to get the right diagnosis. Good doctors understand and value the opinions of the rest of their staff. Each time you explain thoroughly what is wrong to a new staff person, you and your doctor get the benefit of their expertise and training. It can be frustrating to keep repeating the same information over and over when you are sick or in pain, but the answer may reside in the knowledge of a tech, nurse, or lab assistant who has experience with your problem. So take a deep breath and keep talking.
Finally, you will have a diagnosis. Whether the problem was minor or major, the doctor will give you advice on getting better and on keeping yourself healthy in the future. You must understand this information completely in order to get well and stay that way! There are some proven ways to ensure you understand everything you are being told.
First, try to bring someone with you. You are in pain or sick. You just cannot be focused on every detail. A friend, relative, neighbor, or health advocate can remind you later what the doctor said. They can ask for clarification when they don't understand. But only if they are in the exam room with you. They are useless in the waiting room.
Second, make notes. Write down questions you have during the testing phase and ask the doctor the questions before you leave. Write down your diagnosis and the things you need to do in the next few days. Yes, you will get all the info on a discharge form, but most people learn better when they write it down.
Third, ask questions. Actually, ask one question- "Have I gotten everything right?" Ok, it's actually a bit more complicated than that. You know you are going to go home and someone (loved one, noisy neighbor) will ask you what happened. Say to the doctor "When I get home, my {loved one} will want to know what you said. If I tell {him/her} this_____________________, have I gotten everything right?" In that big blank space, tell the doctor everything you have learned from him/her. Then give the doctor a chance to correct anything you have wrong, add something s/he forgot to tell you, or compliment you on totally getting it right.
Need other ideas on how to improve communication with your doctor? Check out my website http://your-health-advocate.com/ to see when classes are happening or how to arrange a class at your job, your fitness center, or your doctor's office.
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