You’re sitting in a doctor’s office, listening to your doctor talk and use what sounds like medical jargon you’ve heard on your favorite TV series before, and you’re nodding your head along, not wanting to be combative or time-consuming. Then, you walk into the parking lot and go, wait a minute. What was that all about?
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. There is more of a gap than most understand when it comes to what doctors say and what patients comprehend. Yet great healthcare communication has more to do with getting the proper treatment and preventative care than leaving your appointment feeling good. The more good communication healthcare provides, the more likely patients will be compliant with next steps and less likely to develop worsening issues.
When Communication Works
If/when communication works, you leave the appointment with certainty about what’s wrong (or not yet diagnosed) and what’s next. Your questions are answered, and you know what steps you need to take next. You also feel like you’ve had enough time for them to talk you through it and present it in a manner you can repeat back to them, so they know you’re clear.
The best of the best admit when they don’t know, too. If they’re uncertain as to what’s causing something, they’ll say it. “I’m not sure what’s causing this yet so here’s what we’re going to look into” makes an open relationship more trustworthy than someone who jumps to conclusions or skims over uncertainty.
Extra help that proves communication works? When a cardiologist meets a physical therapist on your care team and they both report the same course of action, that’s healthcare communication. There’s nothing worse than going to multiple providers and having each say something different, thereby creating a need for you to be the mediator.
When Communication Fails
Healthcare practitioners don’t want you confused; however, when they’re only provided with 15 minutes for a primary care visit, or 15 minutes in general of your time (exam included) to discuss concerns, it’s unrealistic for a doctor to explain everything. They’re more focused on finding an explanation than ensuring patients have elementary questions answered.
Furthermore, doctors have degrees because they’ve learned this medical language for over a decade before they even step into an exam room. To them, it’s common sense. To you, it may as well be hieroglyphics. They don’t even know they talk over our heads most of the time!
In addition, there’s also a power dynamic at play; let’s face it, most people do not want to seem challenging. Patients tend to err on the side of caution to ensure they don’t take up too much time – so much so that they fail to ask questions altogether. In reverse, doctors feel that as long as you’re silent, you understand, which makes both parties assume incorrectly about the other.
How To Speak Up Without Feeling Awkward
Before you go into an appointment, it’s important to write down your questions – rather, your top three questions about your top three concerns. If you have a full list about everything that’s been plaguing you over the last six months, guess what’s not going to resonate? The doctor’s ability to focus in on your most focused question.
If someone is speaking over your head, speaking rapidly about things you don’t understand or glazing over an important detail – interrupt them. Politely – interrupt them. “Can you explain that in simpler terms?” or “I’m not following – can you walk me through that again?” They may be miffed for one second but they’d be more miffed if it meant you’d follow their instructions later correctly.
Try the teach-back method! At the end of a visit say something along the lines of “Just so I’m clear: You want me taking this medication twice a day with food and call you if there’s any swelling – right?” This gives the doctor a chance to amend it right there in the office.
Bring someone with you; an extra set of ears and someone who can help prod along an answer will only benefit you – as will someone who can later help report back what was said should you be distracted during the meeting because you’re under duress in seeing the doctor in the first place.
Getting Your Questions Answered
Believe it or not, there’s an art to asking certain questions that get you answers worth taking away. For example, instead of “Is this serious?” ask “What are we watching for that would make this more concerning?” or instead of “Will this medication work?” ask “What should I notice about this medication and how long until I would see those changes?”
More specific inquiries get specific answers: “What should I do if the pain gets worse at night” is significantly easier than “What if this doesn’t work”. You’re giving them a scenario; why waste time asking them general questions at this point?
If multiple healthcare issues plague you as well, focus on what’s most important: “The main thing I want to address today is _____.” It cuts to the chase – and if a bunch of things are bothering you for no reason at all – honesty is critical here.
Sometimes You Need Extra Help
From patient advocate services that help translate difficult connections between terminology and clinical suggestions to ensuring they’re all on the same page during countless doctor visits (for those with chronic illness), there are multiple ways where someone else can step in when medical advocacy becomes too difficult.
Advocates will sit down with doctors who may not have time with patients and also with patients not fully capable of communicating what they need. They make sure nothing falls through the cracks if someone is dealing with serious symptoms or complicated healthcare patterns.
Making Sure Follow-Up Actually Happens
Good communication doesn’t start and stop at appointments; it extends beyond as well. Before you leave an appointment, clarify what’s going on next: “Will you call me with test results or should I call? When should I hear back from you?” Get a timeframe.
If you have to schedule a follow up – do it before you’ve left – and don’t remember to do so when you’re finally out of the office in a better frame of mind; the same thing goes for any referrals or additional appointments. When it’s all piling on top – it’s easy for it all to happen once – but that’s when problems arise.
Ask how you’ll get in touch if you have questions; is there a patient portal? A nurse? Knowing the options before – and in hindsight – saves SO much headache later on.
What About Telehealth?
Video appointments changed during Covid and they’re never going away. Not only does effective communication still need to exist – but there are additional problems involved. Try and be somewhere very quiet where there won’t be distractions. Ensure proper lighting if necessary.
Test your equipment beforehand; nothing’s worse than calling IT halfway through an appointment when ten minutes were wasted trying to figure things out that could’ve been accommodated before. Make sure there’s a phone number handy in case they can just call you directly instead of through Zoom.
Remember – you can have notes in front of you without it feeling awkward – don’t feel bad using telehealth tools to treat yourself well!
Building Better Relationships Over Time
The best communication healthcare comes the longer you’ve known someone and they’ve learned your history/communication style/trustworthiness and vice versa. This is not built overnight and this is built happily.
Consistency will help; it’s better to have the same primary care doctor who slowly learns what’s important than re-explaining your entire medical history each time.
Be honest about what you’re capable of doing versus not doing because if every treatment option isn’t feasible in someone’s life – a doctor needs to know upfront so alternatives are offered from the get-go.
When You Need To Push Back
Sometimes it’s better to go deeper into advocating for yourself. If concerns are still dismissed say something along the lines of “I know you’ve said this is probably nothing – but it’s really affecting my daily life – is there anything else we could try?”. This is fair.
You don’t have to justify getting a second opinion; just be upfront about it. Most doctors respect someone with their patient’s best health in mind – and under those considerations – if they give their honest opinion they’re fine.
If something feels off even after you’ve tried your best to communicate – it may be worthwhile to find another provider; healthcare relationships work best when both parties communicate effectively!
It’s not about becoming BFFs with your doctor or understanding any detail – even making non-judgmental small talk along the way – but getting yourself educated means one step closer towards specific health education whereby your changes become readily apparent, concerns listened to, and where everyone can agree on what’s happening. It’s possible – but only if everyone knows what they’re asking for beforehand!
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I’m Emma Rose, the founder of tryhardguides.co.uk, and a content creator with a passion for writing across multiple niches—including health, lifestyle, tech, career, and personal development. I love turning complex ideas into relatable, easy-to-digest content that helps people learn, grow, and stay inspired. Whether I’m sharing practical tips or diving into thought-provoking topics, my goal is always to add real value and connect with readers on a deeper level.
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