medical speak in english

1.  Listen to the doctor or provider and take notes.

This will help you to remember their medical explanation after you have left.

2. Restate to the doctor or provider what they have said to you to ensure that is what the provider meant.

Many times the doctor may say or mean one thing but the patient takes it an entirely different way. This helps decrease any confusion later on, and improves communication between you and the doctor.  The provider should also restate to you what he thinks you mean.

Ask the doctor questions or health care provider.

3. Ask for a copy of the office visit note or treatment plan to help you remember what was said during the visit.

However, you should realize that the office note for that day may not be done at the end of your visit.

4. Bring someone with you to serve as your advocate and to lend another ear.

5. Ask your doctor or provider for copies of handouts regarding your diagnosis or medical condition.

6. If a medication was prescribed, ask what the most common side affects are.

7. If you are being referred to a specialist and want to know who the best is, you cannot just ask the doctor who the best is.

If you ask the doctor this way they may not tell you. Instead ask the doctor who they would send their mother or father to.

8. If you are on medications and things are going well, ask your doctor or provider if you should decrease any of the dosages.