“Lucy you got some ‘splainin’ to do”
Desi Arnaz, as Ricky Ricardo
I am always amazed when a friend, relative or patient has just visited their doctor and I ask “how did things go” or “what did they say is wrong”. The answer all too often is “I don’t know”. How can that be? They’ve probably waited weeks for the appointment, hours in the waiting room, and they don’t even remember the important stuff. It’s like missing the ending of a great movie.
When miscommunication occurs its not usually one persons fault. To communicate a message, there needs to be a sender and a receiver and problems can occur when there’s a bad connection. Just like two friends talking on a cell phone, either or both can have a bad signal, in fact the most common words said in America these days is probably “can you hear me now?” Doctors will usually interrupt you within 22 seconds. It’s not that we are rude (some are), but most of us were trained in medical school to do just that. To re-direct the patient and keep they “focused” for a more efficient path to the diagnosis. Like Dragnet’s “ just the facts ma’am”. We now know that there are more effective ways to gather information that includes listening more and talking less. But it’s not all the doctor’s fault. Study after study shows that most patients will forget a significant percentage of what is told to them almost instantly after their visit. Also, The Institute of Medicine recently reported that nearly half of all adults in the USA have difficulty understanding and using health information and the healthcare system. This is in part because of a language barrier. “Medical” is not a second language for most individuals.
Your doctor can probably say things differently, clearer and even be more in tune with the blank look on your face that may occur during the visit. If you are like most patients, you are probably nervous, at least a little afraid, and sometimes intimidated, all of which block your ability to process information especially if it is unfamiliar to you or highly technical. You can try to listen more effectively (or bring a recorder), ask questions (have a list), and not leave until you are clear on basic issues like diagnosis, initial treatment suggestions and alternatives, and a brief view of “what’s next” if things don’t go well. Not easy when you are freezing in a paper gown. Prepare for the visit on the internet or at the library and bring a friend-four ears are better than two. The good news is that many doctors are becoming better listeners and even medical schools have courses in communicating better.
Clear communication is a challenge especially in today’s hurried, complex, high pressure era of medicine but I believe it can and must be done if you the patient are to be a true partner, with your physician, in your healthcare decisions and plans.
FitTip
Know what’s happening to you as you pass through the complex world of healthcare. After all, it’s your body and you only get one. Watch over it.
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