Communication with Healthcare Providers
Who are Healthcare Providers?
During your life you may interact with many different healthcare providers. According to the National Cancer Institute, a healthcare provider is defined as a “person or organization that provides services related to your health”.1 These could be doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, specialty care providers, and so much more.
Communicating with Healthcare Providers
There are various ways in which you communicate with healthcare providers. This may include setting up appointments, expressing health-related concerns, advocating for your needs, filling prescriptions, and so much more. At times it may feel difficult to get the most out of speaking with your healthcare provider but there are strategies you can use to improve these interactions. Click on the chart below to learn more about communication strategies.2
Do I Need a Second Opinion?
Building a trusted relationship with healthcare providers is something that can take time. The most important thing to remember is that a healthcare provider should make you feel heard, provide you helpful feedback, and give you recommendations that support your health. Trust your gut, if you have had a few appointments with a provider and still aren’t sure if they are the right fit for you consider the following actions:
- Complete a self-reflection
- How many times have I met with this provider?
- How did this provider make me feel?
- Did this provider listen to my concerns?
- What information did the provider give that was helpful or unhelpful?
- What emotions did I feel after the appointment?
- Did I feel like I could use my “thinking brain” during this appointment or did my “emotional brain” take control? (Review “flipping your lid” under the fight or flight page for more information on the thinking braining versus the emotional brain!)
- Talk with a supportive person
- Share information from your self-reflection with an advocate, friend, or family member to get an outside perspective.
After completing these steps you may still feel like you need to find a new provider to get a second opinion and that’s okay! Getting a second opinion in healthcare is common. This can help strengthen the information from your first appointment or give you other options related to your health. Talk with your advocate about finding a new provider.
Key Takeaways
- A healthcare provider is any person or organization that provides services for your health (e.g. doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, specialty care providers, etc.).
- Strategies for communicating with healthcare providers:
- Prep for appointment: fill out concerns worksheet and medication list
- During appointment: be honest, take notes, ask questions, manage emotions, and get provider contact information
- After appointment: set up follow up appointments with healthcare provider or pharmacist
- There may be certain instances where you feel like you need to speak with a new provider to get a second opinion and that’s okay! Consider completing a self-reflection and talk with a supportive person about your concerns.