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How can I get what I need from my doctor?

222 Answers
Last Updated: 05/26/2022 at 8:27am
How can I get what I need from my doctor?
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Danielle Gonzales, PsyD

Psychologist

Hello! My name is Dani, I am a Psychologist and registered Psych Assistant. I have a passion for helping a different types of clients from all diverse backgrounds!

Top Rated Answers
ConallBranagin
December 20th, 2018 4:00am
Be honest, ask questions and if you feel stage fright at the idea of talking to a doctor, write it down. Writing down your question can help avoid many akward situations. Doctors can't read your mind. Remember that they are human as well and while they want to help, they can't if you are not willing to self advocate. Self advocating is when you admit you need something, that may be by asking a question, it may mean you do something different actively to result in an alternate reply or reaction. Just keep it straight forward ask and know even if the problem is embarrassing or not something you ever thought or wanted to say, doctors have usuallly already hearsd it, seen it or talked about it. Take a breath annd try it.
Anonymous
February 1st, 2019 3:36am
Being Honest. There is not penalty for being honest. If you do not tell the truth, you cannot be helped to the fullest extent. Your doctor knows only as much as your share when it comes to how you are feeling. They do not have the ability to look into your soul and pull out what you're feeling. You must tell them. It was difficult for me to be honest with my doctor because I was scared but I will say that I would not be where I am today had I not been honest. Take heart. Have courage. Step out.
positivechangesco
February 3rd, 2019 7:50pm
It is important to be open, honest and upfront with your doctor. Try not to be afraid to explain your situation and ask directly for what you're looking for. We often assume that our doctor can interpret what we are trying to say in a round-about way, this often leads to personal disappointment or frustration when we don't receive what we were hoping for. Be honest, open, direct and polite, your doctor will take your comments on board professionally and without judgement, they should then discuss your preferred outcome(s) with you and agree a way forward that you can both be satisfied with.
Anonymous
March 12th, 2019 5:20am
It's hard, but you have to learn how to advocate for yourself. Tell the doctor what you need, and if they won't help you, you'll have to move on and find someone who can. You deserve to be taken seriously and given real help. I've had trouble with (physical) health issues, and there is a tendency for doctors to believe that they know everything. However, they really don't, so don't let them dismiss what you tell them about what you need! It's important that you play a part in making sure your treatment is the right one for you!
rakarat
March 25th, 2019 12:01am
You can get what you need by asking for it. Be direct, explain your situation as openly as possible, as well as politely as possible. Be honest and open. Answer any questions they have. They can not help you unless you are truthful, even if the truth is uncomfortable to discuss. They have heard it all! Do not feel embarrassed. It is normal to feel that way, though. If you don't agree with something they say, speak up in a direct but civil manner. Hear them out but also give your opinion. It is your health and your body! Remember, though, they are very educated and may know a bit more than what you realize.
QueenEllathe2nd
April 12th, 2019 8:28am
Without any context it is hard to give a specific answer- but my recommendation is to be as honest as you can with them. Someone also suggested to me to report your symptoms based on a day that is between average and bad. That why you aren't just there on one of your better days and not fully explaining the extent of your struggles.
TranquilLynx84
April 26th, 2019 4:20pm
One suggestion is to go in to your appointment prepared with the questions you'd like to ask, and a list of any issues you want to bring up during the appointment. If you find that the doctor cannot answer all of your questions or address all of the issues in that appointment, ask if perhaps you can follow up with her/him to get more information. You can also ask for other resources to use to get more info you need. You can also ask for copies of any tests or records you've had to keep in your files. If you want to bring someone along with you -- a parent or friend, for example -- bring them with you, and ask if it is okay with the doctor to have them present.
ThoughtlessDesign
May 19th, 2019 5:25pm
Be direct and honest. Ask questions, and be a strong self-advocate. We all have a tendency not to challenge the professionals in our lives, especially health care professionals. But no one can feel what it is your feeling, or know with any more clarity than you how difficult or painful something is for you to deal with. Doctors might downplay how you're feeling, or brush aside your concerns. Don't let them. Stay strong, demand with firm politeness that you are given the resources you need, whether that's trying medicine or speaking with specialists. You owe it to yourself. And you can do it.
Anonymous
July 17th, 2019 7:54pm
This question is simple, because like it says in the Bible, "Ask and you shall receive." The doctor is there to benefit you and is willing to help you with anything. All you have to do is ask. They aren't mind-readers, so you have to have good communication and a good relationship with your doctor. It's also easy to feel like you are asking too much from your doctor. Do not feel that way at all! They are there for ALL of your questions and needs; not just some. They are certified and well qualified. Any question you may have, probably, has been asked before.
junem
May 29th, 2021 4:48am
It is my experience that one needs to be a strong self advocate to get what one needs from the doctor and the healthcare field in general. It seems all too easy to fall between the cracks. Firstly one needs to come to the realization of what one's needs are. Sometimes this cannot be all that clear in our minds. Learn to know yourself and what your normal feels like. Then make a . list of one's new symptoms or things of concern. Writing this out helps clarify our thinking. When approaching the doctor be prepared with that list so you can speak clearly one's concerns. Ask for what you feel you need
Anonymous
October 25th, 2020 6:47pm
It depends on what you "need". Doctors take an oath that require them to provide the best care they can. If you feel that your doctor is not compatible with you, then you can always find another doctor who is more compatible with you. Doctor's simply can't dish out medications like free candy, due to various reasons, however you can sit down with your doctor and have a serious discussion about what is going on with your life. Doctor's should have good intentions, respect HIPPA laws, and genuinely want to help their patients be the best versions of themselves.
eternalPillow7937
November 6th, 2020 9:59pm
You can get what you want from your doctor by being genuine to the doctor, tell him what you feel and think. be specific with your doctor about your condition and problems, try to be as detailed as possible and ask the doctor how to deal with it, take the doctor seriously and act accordingly. you need to be very clear about your requirements and be able to communicate clearly. you need to be updated about your condition and its always better to get an idea about it from some sources and understand its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, side effects and discuss with your doctor. A doctor is a professional and trained to study and diagnose the disease , for how you are feeling about it and concerned about few things linked to it, you need to communicate effectively with him. And it helps to be aware of factors like time required for healing, money, insurance,procedures etc
DarkPiT23
November 27th, 2020 2:38pm
Get organized. Be clear about what you need from your appointment. ... Prioritize. Organize your list. ... Start early. The best time to see a doctor is early in the day. Be human. You need a physician, not an automaton. ... Be direct. ... Plan ahead. ... Say thank you. Come prepared. ... Prioritize your concerns. ... Don't be afraid to ask for another appointment. ... Be willing to communicate outside the exam room. ... Bring someone with you. Don't Be Shy: Set an Agenda. Many doctors' visits last only 15–20 minutes, so it's important to prioritize your concerns by setting an agenda, Roter says. ... Be Honest. Roter urges patients to be honest about worries and concerns. ... Ask Questions. ... Work Collaboratively.
Tyedyedbutterfly65
December 5th, 2020 1:31pm
Seeing a Doctor can be very triggering for some and what has helped me when I go is making a List of things that I may forgot and then regret not asking about so by making my list a day before I am calmer and can really think about what it is that I want to ask my doctor about and then go down my list while there and I will actually write down their reply and have it with me when I am back home. When going down the list make sure that you they understand that you are there for answers and would like to get these things taken care of. Doctors normally set a time limit they wanna be with a patient and they can hurry some one along so it is important to make sure you go prepared and get the results you went for. Ask Questions always !! People feel they should not ask questions but this is so important.
YourOnlineListener
January 13th, 2021 5:08pm
So when people can't get the exact things they want from their doctors there are some solutions they can go for, 1. Write down every symptom and some important ones with date. 2. Write down the questions before the appointment. 3. Feel comfortable with your doctor. There's nothing to be embarassed about so don't hide pains even if they sound embarassing to say. A doctor has taken an oath before he took the job so whatever happens he won't tell anybody about what you said. 4. Remember that even if your symptoms may show a major illness and need intense treatment you still need to be very honest with your doctor. Never ever hide symptoms.
Heretosupportxo
January 17th, 2021 12:54am
It depends on what you actually need. If you want some medication, maybe you wouldn't be able to get it because your doctor knows better than you what should you drink or no. If it's about psychotherapy, like you may want CBT or similar, you can recommend it to your doctor and tell him/her what you actually want. You can't get anything if you don't talk about what you want. So, just a conversation about it can change things. But this is anxiety Q&A so you're maybe asking this because you're scared and don't know how to tell them what you want. I can recommend writing it on paper and just giving your doctor that. It may be really, really hard, but if you don't try you logically won't get what you want. Fight for it. Fight for your health. You deserve it.
kindnessisamust
January 23rd, 2021 3:55am
When you see your doctor, you should be clear and detailed about your symptoms. For common mental conditions such as depression and anxiety, your doctor will decide on the course of treatment based on what you tell them. For example, instead of saying "I feel tired", be more detailed, like "I feel tired in the morning, but later this feeling goes away". There are multiple forms of depression and anxiety, which may require different treatments - by being specific about your symptoms, your doctor will be able to determine the specific type of depression/anxiety - and give you the necessary treatment.
Anonymous
February 17th, 2021 11:58am
It really depends on what you need from your doctor. Communication with your doctor about symptoms, signs you're experiencing are the best way to figure out -what it is you need. If the doctor doesn't know what's wrong they are in a position they can't fulfill their duties of helping their patients. What I suggest is making a list of the symptoms and rating them 1-10 how bad they are and then make an appointment with your doctor to let them know what's going on so that they can begin a course of action to help you get better
Lighthouse10
March 11th, 2021 2:57pm
The best way to get your needs is always to be straightforward in asking for them, whether it's your doctor or anyone else, because people can't read your mind, so unless you state it you might not get it simply because they don't know you need it. Ofcourse coming smoothly, showing them appreciation and respect, not being too pushy or criticizing their judgement if they are suggesting something else, will make the process easier. In the end if it's a good doctor they will want what's best for you, and are likely to want to fulfill your needs if it's in your best interest.
mrlimers15
April 8th, 2021 2:44am
Be honest and share any information that you want to share with your doctor. Do not be afraid to seek help and work on yourself so that you can feel better physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Hear and adhere to their advice and don't be afraid to question the purpose of their recommendations. It might be intimidating to question a doctor but assure them that understanding the why of things will help you achieve whatever goals you might have. A doctor will not judge and their purpose is to help you achieve health in every aspect possible so don't be afraid to ask.
Izzy274
April 10th, 2021 10:16pm
It can be really hard to know what you need and then how to go about getting it from your doctor, especially since healthcare systems are so complex and different depending on where you are. Here are a few options you could possibly think about, but I don't know your full situation so could never know what would be best for you. - It depends on what you want - if it is a medication, the doctor may have a reason for not prescribing it, which you could talk about. If it's for a treatment, you could present to them what you want and then have a discussion about it together. - Perhaps try writing down what you want to get out of a conversation beforehand, so you can make some clear & concise points and don't leave out anything. - Ask questions if you don't understand why the doctor is doing something, whilst still keeping an open mind towards it. - Become your own advocate and research the treatments you want before putting them forward to the doctor. - Remember the doctor is here to help and you are not an inconvenience to them!
Anonymous
May 16th, 2021 7:26pm
You can get what you need from your doctor by communicating exactly what those needs are. Communication with your doctor or health professional is key! I am sure they will be more than welcome to work with you in order to address those needs and get you the correct care. Continue being an advocate for yourself and obtain those resources. You can always jot down a list for you to remember that way you can express yourself freely and openly without forgetting any potential information that may be important for them to use. Give them all the information you have in order to get your needs satisfied properly. Hope this helps.
MoJoC
January 20th, 2022 10:36pm
To get what I need from my doctor, I must share all information with them whether I think it is relevant or not. Total honestly and transparency with my doctor is the best way to help them understand what is going on with me and what I am feeling. By doing this, they can better tailor treatment to my needs and my lifestyle rather than basing it off on their average patient. Without being open and honest with my physician, I can't receive the best treatment possible as they won't have a well-rounded understanding of my physical or mental state.
vicivil
April 22nd, 2022 3:44am
It's important to be honest with your doctor about any and all issues you may have, that way they are able to properly help you. And if you feel as if you need something specific from your health care provider, feel free to ask them. Doctors are there to help you and if you convey what it is you need, they will most likely do so. You as the patient are given a whole lot of control over your care, and there are rarely restrictions on what you can and cannot do. It may feel very awkward and uncomfortable to speak to someone you hardly know about issues you may have, and it can be often scary to ask them for things. However, they are only there to aid you, and they will not judge.
Anonymous
April 7th, 2022 6:31am
You can get what you need from your primary doctor or your specialists by gaining clarity on what you need from your doctor. Start planning in advance before scheduling an appointment. Keeping your own notes and records to refer back to is helpful. Be intentional and purposeful. Plan by setting goals. And create action plans. Plan ahead so when you visit your doctor you’ll be prepared. Also, looking through your own medical reports and highlighting the most important information so that when you make your appointment to see your doctor. You’ll be organized. Being respectful and courteous goes a long way. Always, thank your doctor for his/her time and support.
AngelOfKindness
April 2nd, 2022 6:49pm
If you ever need anything from a doctor or consultant I say the best call to action is to give them a call, or send an email. Remember it’s always ok to ask for help, and if you feel you need some time than by all means go for it. Just remember that waiting too long can deteriorate your health and/or well being. If they are available try and schedule an appointment, so you can talk to them about what you may need whether it may be medicine or a checkup. I hope I helped you out with this issue.
Anonymous
February 27th, 2022 9:55pm
You should truly talk to your doctor/peditrician in a well descriptive way where he will understand your concerns and troubles that you are unfortunately having. Do not sugar coat anything and be truly honest on whatever is going on in your life. Make sure you are speaking with your doctor in confidence and tell him exactly what's going on. The exact information you need to get from your doctor(s) depends on the basis of your claim. You should have detailed records of visits, including medication list, dosages, reported side effects, and results demonstrating compliance with prescribed medication
Fradiga
February 5th, 2022 10:09am
If you are talking about a prescription, most doctors decide for you what you need and it might not be the same as what you want. One does not walk in the doctor's office asking the doctor to order specific medication usually, just as the pharmacist cannot sell you most medicines without a doctor's prescription. When you go see your doctor, you explain your symptoms, he examines you and then decides if you need a prescription. It could happen that he agrees with you on what you need, but he or she decides for you. The pharmacist also may decide that some medications are not compatible with other medications you are already taking. Both those professionals have studied long years and took an oath to care for you.
MeditationIV
July 31st, 2021 11:03am
This question breaks my heart, in some way. It’s because I can imagine the kinds of experiences that would lead somebody to ask it. I’ve been in this position many times - feeling frustration, sometimes even hopelessness, at the complete inadequacy of many in the physical health care profession. Unfortunately, doctors are often not trained to provide us with the whole package. And human flaw & error play their roles here too, which can be irritating at best, and deeply damaging at worst. For example, most physicians lack the same skill-sets that therapists train towards, meaning that we often are unable to communicate our needs and be heard for what they are. This is not a good experience to have when needing a physician, but you will come across it again in your lifetime. So, what can we do to try for the outcomes we need? We can plan our communication ahead of time. When doing so, try to take a step back and visualize the greater picture of what has brought you there. This will increase your confidence, and will also poignantly demonstrate your capacity for insight to the physician, who may be affected to act more consciously in return. Confidence is important. Do not underestimate the language you use, and the body language you display. If you trust your perceptions, your physician will be more likely to perceive them as true as well. When you are unable to demonstrate confidence (even by means of acting), unconscious physicians will steamroll over you with the most basic perceptions their education left them with. This will make your intuitions and experiences with your health go unspoken, which will not only be unproductive to your quest for healing but will also pull you backward in your potential to heal. Long story short: trust your body, trust your mind. When something feels wrong, it feels wrong. Whatever the cause is, whether it’s a or b, x or y, it deserves attention. Walk-in with your shoulders back, and stand in your truth. A physician worth sitting with will respect and respond to this demonstration of your own truth.
Anonymous
May 30th, 2021 7:58pm
You want to have a goal when speaking with your doctor. Ask questions and ask them for resources on paper. They will give it to you! These types of resources should be very beneficial in assisting you in getting the best and most professional help as possible. Speak with them about personal experiences and ask them for great advice. Make sure to write down the advice and practice it mindfully. This will give you an amazing personal boost of energy and will help you feel more energized as you tackle on your day. This will be very helpful for you.