by Claire Sykes

Whether you’re sick with the flu or there for a physical, chances are you’d rather be shopping or golfing than visiting your doctor.

It’s no picnic being a patient. But as long as you have to be one, it pays to make the most of it. That means taking an active role in your health and working in partnership with your doctor.When you do, you receive more thorough care, you’re more apt to follow through with treatment and you help cut the risk for medical mistakes.

“Studies have shown that patients who play an active role in their health care are more likely to have better health outcomes,” says Judith Greenfield, Ph.D., R.N., founder and president of the Healthcare Communication Project in Stone Ridge, N.Y.

A lot of trends are helping to turn patients into consumers: the Web’s wealth of information, drug-company ads, and insurance plans that ask workers to pay more of their medical bills. As a result, patients want to be more involved in their care. While some doctors resist, many more welcome a true partnership with patients.

“An active role is a preventive one, so pay attention to your health,” says North Carolina internist Michael Richardson, M.D., author of Health Basics: A Doctor’s Plainspoken Advice About How Your Body Works and What to Do When it Doesn’t.

Know your health history and risks, and write them down for your doctor. “If you have specific medical issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, monitor your readings, symptoms and medications,” says New York pulmonologist Francis Adams, M.D., author of Healing Through Empathy.

“Make an effort to learn about a particular health concern by asking your physician about it,”Dr. Greenfield adds. While that medical degree means your doctor knows more about medicine than you do, it doesn’t mean the doctor knows everything. Take it upon yourself to find additional sources from the Internet, books and magazine articles. Then run these by your doctor to see which ones are reliable and relevant.

“Instead of being a passive receiver, view yourself as an equal in your health care responsibilities,” says Margaret Fitzpatrick, R.N., coauthor of What to Ask the Doc: The Questions to Ask to Get the Answers You Need. When you engage in open, two-way discussion and listen to each other’s concerns, you have the same understanding and expectations and can make decisions together.

Building a partnership with your doctor isn’t always easy. During your visits you may feel sick, worried, vulnerable, pressured or intimidated. You may be overwhelmed by too much information. And what does it all mean, anyway?

The right doctor will welcome your questions, give you time to discuss issues, and foster an environment of openness and support. A strong rapport and shared values can kick-start a partnership, but to keep it going, you and your doctor must respect and trust each other. Like any relationship, the one with your doctor also takes time — and it takes work. When disagreements or misunderstandings arise, you have to speak up.

But it’s worth it. “You’re the one who’s experiencing your condition, and who’ll bear the consequences,” says Dr. Greenfield. “Partnering with your doctor is really in your best interest.” Don’t wait until your health declines, and you need that relationship, to start building it with your doctor. Do it now, so you can rely on it from here on — in sickness and in health.

TO LEARN MORE

• Healthcare Communication Project (articles and tips on how to build a partnership with your doctor): 845-687-2328, www.healthcp.org
• What to Ask the Doc: The Questions to Ask to Get the Answers You Need, by Margaret Fitzpatrick, R.N., Linda Burke, R.N., and Daryl Lee, R.N.

How to Find a New Doctor
You just moved to town or your employer changed health plans. Or maybe you’re unhappy with your physician. Whatever the reason, it’s time to find a new doctor. Where do you start?

First, know what you want. Of course, you want a doctor who is qualified, with no state disciplinary action against him or her. Check your state health department for this information. Equally important is someone who cares about you, shows compassion, keeps you informed, spends time with you and is accessible.

To find this person:

• Ask friends, family and coworkers whom they recommend, and why. Most welltrained doctors look great on paper, but many of us also care about the doctor’s personality and manner — “and you’re going to hear about that from people you know,” says internist Michael Richardson, M.D.
• Ask your other doctors, such as specialists. If they’ve seen a doctor in action, they can speak for his or her competence and manner.
• Get a list of primary care doctors from your local hospital, physician referral services, medical association and health care plan.
• Keep your ear open for a doctor’s name that comes up more than once.
• Have several names to choose from, in case one or more isn’t taking new patients or isn’t part of your health plan’s network.
• Make an appointment with the most promising doctor to get acquainted so you can get a sense of whether you’d work well together.

Prepare for Doctor Visits
Before your next doctor visit, think ahead so you can make the best use of your time. “Put into writing your three top concerns and why you want to be seen, then send this to your physician a week or two before your appointment,” suggests pulmonologist Francis Adams, M.D. Bring with you:

• Paper and pen to take notes.
• A list of your medications and nutritional supplements, with dosages. “You want to avoid duplications and dangerous drug interactions should your doctor prescribe additional medications,” says internist Michael Richardson, M.D.
• A record of any symptoms, how long they’ve occurred and when, and what makes them better or worse.
• Any information about your condition that you found from the Internet, books or magazines.
• An organized list of questions. The book What to Ask the Doc offers questions for 66 common medical concerns.
• A friend or relative. This person can serve as another set of eyes and ears, and may think of questions you haven’t.
• Duplicates of anything you have in writing, so you can leave copies with your doctor.