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Talking With Your Doctor
Today, patients take an active role in their health care. You
and your doctor will work in partnership to achieve your best
possible level of health. An important part of this relationship is good
communication.
Here are some questions you can ask your doctor to get your discussion
started:
About My Disease or Disorder . . .
- What is my diagnosis?
- What caused my condition?
- Can my condition be treated?
- How will this condition affect my vision now and in the future?
- Should I watch for any particular symptoms and notify you if they
occur?
- Should I make any lifestyle changes?
About My Treatment . . .
- What is the treatment for my condition?
- When will the treatment start, and how long will it last?
- What are the benefits of this treatment, and how successful is it?
- What are the risks and side effects associated with this treatment?
- Are there foods, drugs, or activities I should avoid while I’m on
this treatment?
- If my treatment includes taking a medication, what should I do if I
miss a dose?
About My Tests . . .
- What kinds of tests will I have?
- What do you expect to find out from these tests?
- When will I know the results?
- Do I have to do anything special to prepare for any of the tests?
- Do these tests have any side effects?
- Will I need more tests later?
Understanding your doctor’s responses is essential to good
communication. Here are a few more tips:
- If you don’t understand your doctor’s responses, ask questions until
you do understand.
- Take notes, or get a friend or family member to take notes for you.
Or, bring a tape-recorder to assist your recollection of the discussion.
- Ask your doctor to write down his or her instructions to you.
- Ask your doctor for printed material about your condition.
- If you still have trouble under standing your doctor’s answers, ask
where you can go for more information.
- Other members of your health care team, such as nurses and
pharmacists, can be good sources of information. Talk to them, too.
(Courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health)
The Visionary ,
published as a service of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of
Blindness,
is available upon request. The information contained
in this issue,
taken from sources considered to be
accurate,
does not replace the need for professional eye care
consultations and treatments.
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