A GUIDE ON TALKING TO YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER
As a primary care physician, I spent years of training learning about the human body. Many of the terms we learn to communicate with other providers come from Latin or Greek words. So, cardiomegaly, meaning “big heart,” might be the medical term to describe someone’s enlarged heart, but it doesn’t hold meaning for anyone else.
We are also trained to speak to non-medical individuals with easy- to-understand language, but occasionally, we’ll slip back into the medical jargon that’s been hard-wired into our brains.
So, let’s look at some ways to talk your primary care provider that can help you and your provider work on effective communication.
Some General Medical Terms
Here are a few medical terms you might hear when visiting your primary care provider and what they mean.
Acute. Short-term or sudden
Asymptomatic. Not showing or feeling signs of illness.
Benign. Harmless or noncancerous.
Chronic. Long-term or long-lasting conditions.
Contusion. A bruise.
Etiology. The cause of a condition or illness.
Fracture. Broken bone.
Inpatient. Care that requires a stay in the hospital.
Intravenous. Treatment given through a needle inserted into a vein.
Outpatient. Care that can be done outside of a hospital.
Prognosis. A potential outcome for a disease or condition.
Sutures. Stitches.
Getting Ready for a Visit
Bring a list of questions
Bringing a list of questions can help you remember everything you’d like to address at a visit. If your provider doesn’t have time to answer all your concerns, you can email them later, talk again over the phone, or at a different visit. Sometimes, your provider may help you prioritize your concerns if you have a long list so they can best address the issues.
Come with a family member
A medical visit can seem overwhelming. You may not recall everything your provider discusses with you, especially if you are dealing with a more serious issue. Bring another set of eyes and ears to help you keep an account of the visit. If you are an inpatient, it’s also a great idea to have someone visit or stay so they can advocate for you if needed during a hospital admission.
Come prepared
Bring a list of your current medications and dosages. Write down approximate dates for when any signs or symptoms of an illness started.
During a Visit
Ask questions
Ask as many questions as you like during your visit so you understand what your provider is saying. Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t get it the first time something is explained to you, especially with a more complicated condition.
Repeat what you are told
Repeat back what the provider said to you. It helps ensure that communication has been effective for both of you.
Speak honestly
Some medical issues seem embarrassing, but providers have been trained to listen to all kinds of concerns. Do your best to answer questions honestly.
Take notes
Take notes on your phone, if you need help remembering. Many provider offices also give out a summary of the visit so make sure to pick that up on the way out.
Talk about any financial concerns
If you have concerns about medication pricing or insurance coverage, speak up. Your provider’s staff can look into these issues while you are in the office or later after the visit.
Remind your provider if they missed something
On a busy day, your provider may seem to move quickly. Stop and remind them if they forgot to address something. You both will be thankful as it avoids later emails or phone calls!
Hopefully, these tips can make your medical visits better for you and your provider. Open communication will improve your care and help your provider give you the best guidance possible.