Have you ever walked out of a doctor’s appointment feeling like it was a waste of your time (and theirs)? Even the most confident of us can freeze when we’re sitting there, and it’s easy to feel like the conversation got away from you and your problems weren’t addressed.
For those of you who know me in real life, you know I spent plenty of time in medical appointments last year. I wanted to share some of the tips I have learned through the years—that I had a lot of chances to practice recently.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
There are a few things you can do ahead of time that only take a few minutes that will help ensure the most important information is covered. Even the best, most caring doctors are under tremendous time pressure. Write down your questions ahead of time. But also think about the most important symptoms or problems, and consider how you can share them concisely—without getting distracted by unnecessary backstory.
Ask Better Questions
All appointments should end with a chance to ask questions. And if you’ve just received surprising news, your head is often spinning too much to even think of what to say. But things you need to be clear on are: what are the next steps, what is the timeline, and when you should call back if things aren’t better.
Build a Partnership With Your Doctor
Sometimes you feel like your concerns have been dismissed. It’s important at that point to share your perspective while still valuing their expertise. You can—and should—advocate for yourself. It’s important to remind them that this is not routine for you, and you need more clarity and explanation.
Watch the Full Video
I walk through all of these steps in more detail in the video below. I also include examples you can put in to practice right away.
On a Personal Note
I woke up this morning thinking I wasn’t going to post this. I always experience such an odd mix of excitement and angst when I post a new video. I learn something new with each one. But at the same time, I wish YouTube had a “strangers only” setting, so that no one who knows me in real life can see. I suppose it’s the same phenomenon that lets me speak to a room full of strangers and colleagues, but I am a shaking mess when I have to speak to people who have known me since childhood.
I did have a lot of fun making this. And I still love the intro music written by my daughter.
I’d love to connect with you beyond the blog. You can find me on Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook, where I share more encouragement for women navigating faith and health. You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter.
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