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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?
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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
Profile: MattInWonderland
MattInWonderland
July 19th, 2018 5:32pm
That's a great question! It depends very much on the specifics of the situation, but here are some ideas which may help you - If you feel you are not putting across your message across clearly, it may be worth writing a list of things you want to say and questions you want to ask before going to meet your doctor Another idea which might help is to look at having a trusted relative or advocate who you feel understands your needs to come with you to talk to your doctor - If this is possible, they could provide moral support or interject on your behalf if you need it. A third option is, if you feel your doctor is not listening to you or taking your need seriously, you could always arrange to see a different doctor. There is one more important thing to add to this. No-one knows your situation better than you, and it is great that you are determined to get what you need. Also hear what the doctor is saying and give it some thought. If they are understanding what you are asking for but advising against it, perhaps there is a good reason for this. However, even if this is the case, it never hurts to get a second opinion just to make sure. Good luck and I hope this helps :)
Anonymous
July 22nd, 2018 8:56pm
You need to go in telling them exactly what the problem is, e.g depression. - if you don’t tell they won’t give.
Profile: Allears247
Allears247
July 25th, 2018 11:24am
People often think that they have to do everything that their doctor says and this just isn't true. Doctors are people too and are capable of being incorrect or misguided just as anyone else. You know your body better than anyone will ever know it because you live within it. Be firm, tell them what you are looking for and what you need. If they don't try to work with you I would change doctors.
Profile: Dlinepop
Dlinepop
July 25th, 2018 2:54pm
Don't forget to say how long have you had the illness, when was the first symptoms occured, what should you do/drink to stop and prevent it?
Anonymous
July 26th, 2018 2:59pm
It depends on what you need, if it's a prescription usually the doctor's advice is best, however, you can have a sit down chat with them and argue your case.
Profile: amiablePeace77
amiablePeace77
July 27th, 2018 8:02pm
Prepare yourself by getting information about what you need (if it is a procedure/meds etc.), be honest and describe as good as you can why you need it.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2018 10:38am
Make sure it is a reasonable issue and always just book an appointment and spill out to your doctor tell them what you need and that you need their help. Be confident and of course the doctor will be more than happy to help you and advise you as well as maybe referring you to the person that they know would be able to hep you more.
Anonymous
August 5th, 2018 8:21pm
Try to explain to your doctor what your needs are, perhaps write it down to help explain. Ask them questions to ensure that they are clear and if you are unhappy with your doctor then dont be afraid to try to find one that might be more helpful with your needs.
Profile: RavenABandito
RavenABandito
November 23rd, 2019 6:51pm
Collectively through my personal experiences the best way to utilize a doctor's visit requires simple things. Before you go to the doctor's know exactly why you are going, reason why you're visiting, their offices' requirements (policy, insurance, monies, etc) and going above to seek information about that particular doctor's office including their services, doctor information, and other miscellaneous things. Once you are with your doctor feel free to explain your needs, ask any questions, and answer his questions to the best of your ability. All these simple things will make sure your visit truthfully will help you in your reason for attending the doctor's in the first place.
Profile: MiaIvy
MiaIvy
December 21st, 2019 5:03am
Write down how you’re feeling as far in advance of your doctors appointment as possible. Don’t just wait till the last minute! Take some time before the appointment to summarize how you’ve been feeling and what you want you doctor to know. It might help to even write down your list so you can consult it during the appointment. After your period of reflection, consider specific things your doctor might be able to help you with more specifically. You could try to do some research online, or just aim to narrow down your concerns into a descriptive narrative. Work to present your needs in a clear and concise fashion but thanks to your detailed reflection, you can be confident you won’t leave anything out.
Anonymous
December 25th, 2019 4:55am
Try to get some research on your condition, the possible diagnoses, tests and the types of medications the Dr might prescribe. If there is a specific thing you want, it is better to follow the format most doctors use to come to a consensus on your diagnoses. I hope things work out well. Ir would help if you made extensive notes on your physical, emotional and mental symptoms and keep a log of them to show to your doctor to convince them of what you want or need from your doctor. Most doctors are flexible and when calmly articulated with research the outcome is more positive
Profile: Bobofromnl
Bobofromnl
December 29th, 2019 8:17am
I guess it depends on what country you're in and the medical culture that your in but I think being clear with what you want the outcomes to be super important, if your not being listened too ask again or get a second opinion. You deserve to get the help you need to function and only you know what you need. With psychological issues, the only thing you can show is by using your voice . This I think makes it really difficult, half the time I don't know what I'm feeling but I know it feels wrong, but you need to use your voice effectively to get the help you need!
Profile: FrostWire
FrostWire
January 9th, 2020 3:37am
Well hello there; I'm Frostwire. I've read your thought and i believe that i can help. But let's first assess the question. Whom is the Doctor? why is it important that you have the medicine you are asking for? If the doctor you have been speaking with is ignoring the obvious answer; why? Is there a long term effect? Has the doctor used the medicine in their practice before? If so, what kind of patient? Are you already taking medication under this doctor? If so; is there anything about the medicine that would make (her or him) feel uncomfortable to put you on due to other medicines? last but not least; do you have any medical history of mental disorders that the medicine could affect?
Anonymous
March 18th, 2020 6:15pm
What exactly are you looking for from your doctor? Are you looking for a mental health referral? You can ask them specifically. They've had all kinds of patients so no question is going to make them gawk at you. If you want mental health support, you can ask them for a referral to a therapist if possible. There are also short-term crisis lines and even 7 Cups to help you out (in the short-term) while you wait for a proper therapist. Sometimes graduate students in counselling can offer free therapy in their university clinics for people with financial / accessibility barriers. If you have some other concerns, your state, province or territory may have some healthcare lines and services that are available for you.
Anonymous
March 26th, 2020 8:18pm
Be honest about your needs. Ask questions. Remember your patients rights. You have the right to inquire about your treatment options, as well as the right to ask for a second opinion. If you are working with a therapist or psychiatrist, you can ask them to write a letter on your behalf to help advocate for you. Remember, this is your health and wellbeing on the line, you deserve to get competent care. If your doctor has been acting unethical or unprofessional, there are licensing boards in your state whom you can contact to make formal complaints. You can also contact your insurance company and ask about resources they can identify to help you.
Profile: lindaisling1
lindaisling1
April 9th, 2020 8:33pm
What a great question. You are a strong and wise person to be thinking about this. I know what works for me and perhaps some of the things that help me will also help you. The first thing I do when I have set up a doctor's appointment is to write out a list of questions that I need answers to. I start on the list right away because I may not remember what I needed to ask or talk about by the time I see the doctor. I also always have someone else with me so that if I don't understand or remember what the doctor has said I have another person to help me. I have found that my doctor is always happy to help me get what I need if I keep my conversation with him direct and to the point as my doctors are usually really busy. If the doctor seems to be in a hurry and gets up to leave before I know what I need to know or before I have asked all of my questions, I politely ask if he can spare me a few more minutes and if he can't if I can see him later that day or make another appointment to ask the rest of my questions. I hope that these ideas will help you. If you would like to talk further or if you have other questions be sure to come back to the site and either I or another person will be happy to help in any way we can.
Profile: jessicamae98
jessicamae98
April 10th, 2020 1:59am
Be open and honest with your doctor and advocate for what you need. As someone hoping to pursue a career in medicine and have shadowed several doctors and their doctor-patient interactions, I believe that a doctor is someone that you can trust and is someone who is nonjudgemental. All of the doctors that I have worked with have been empathetic and compassionate people who truly want what is best for you. As a future physician, I can definitely say that I only want the best for my future patients and hope they feel comfortable enough with me to advocate for themselves.
Profile: ImTiago
ImTiago
April 30th, 2020 11:13am
Doctors, even if sometimes it seems otherwise, are there to help you. Their entire career is based on helping other people overcome their diseases. As a medical student myself, I know how important it is to always put the patient first, as we are all taught. So, whatever it is you need, he will give it to you if you open up to him, let yourself be examined and treated. Some people fear doctors, or don't follor their advice/treatment, that's not the way to get better. You should always question him whenever you have doubts with your treatment, let him know if you like it or not, if you are having trouble with side effects, he'll know how to change the therapeutic scheme to adjust to your needs. I hope you feel better soon and get better at communicating with your doctor :)
Anonymous
May 13th, 2020 11:47am
Make notes on how you're feeling before you visit your doctor. How medications are working, how you felt through the week, what treatments work, what you don't like. This will make it easy to communicate with your doctor! Sharing updates and setting boundaries can help you get the treatment you want. If you don't like a certain medication, it's important to communicate that to your health care professional. An important part of coping with any mental health condition is to develop a solid relationship with a psychiatrist or therapist you can trust. Be sure to ask for their contact information, ask them if they can be contacted during crisis situations.
Profile: lucywormie
lucywormie
May 21st, 2020 1:27am
Go to your doctor and talk to them. Explain whatever it is that’s troubling you and tell them what you want. Doctors are supposed to support you and provide you with what’s best for you so they’ll always give you the best path so remember that. Just be persistent and keep asking for whatever it is you want. If they aren’t providing it or are giving another option that you don’t think is best for you then consult another doctor for a second opinion. Try to be open to whatever they suggest but if you simply ask for what you want and it complies with them then I’m sure it’ll turn out okay and you’ll get it. :)
Anonymous
June 7th, 2020 9:51am
By being honest and telling them outright what I need. It doesn't help to beat around the bush and skate by - if you need something from your doctor, don't be afraid to say so. Medicine is important, and truthfully and in most cases, individuals are better off with rather than without. Taking care of your health, physical or mental, starts with talking to your doctor and getting prescribed what you need. Schedule an appointment and tell the doctors and nurses outright what is going on and what you need to make it more manageable in the long run.
Profile: martinbo
martinbo
June 10th, 2020 12:46pm
Visiting a GP could be stressful and create many anxious situations. The responsibility is our mind with negative or dysfunctional thoughts. a doctor is a medical professional who is here to help us and is human as well. If we say him/her what exactly is going on that definitely will help to achieve what do we need from that medical practitioner. if we do not agree with the opinion of GP we always can change the GP and we can try to seeking help with another professional who will be more efficient for us in a particular issue. Is not wrong to seeking help in a different place if we are not happy of present service.
Profile: SparklyCierra
SparklyCierra
June 14th, 2020 2:37pm
I have found that I get what I need from my doctor by being fully honest. I know some details may be embarrassing or more taboo to talk about, but full honesty is important for the doctor-patient relationship to work its best. And if I'm not getting "what I need", I might not have needed it in the first place. Sometimes I might have a certain treatment or medication in mind, but my doctor knows more about different treatments that might suit me better. However, if you feel that your doctor is not truly listening to your experiences or disregards what you say, it might be time to find a new doctor. It's important that you feel heard and that you feel comfortable enough with your doctor to accept the treatments recommended to you.
Profile: CalmRosebud
CalmRosebud
June 19th, 2020 5:08pm
It's good you're thinking of being pro-active about your health. Some ideas I have used include: 1. writing down my questions ahead of time, 2. writing down any pertinent information that may sway treatment in one direction or another, ahead of time, so that I don't forget to address it, 3. think ahead -- some would joke about this and say, "think ahea-" but in reality, if you think ahead a little bit, then you can sometimes ward off some of the worse possibilities through your planning, and the result might at least be acceptable. Finally, your rapport with your doctor is very important. Perhaps your practice does not think so, but there are other doctors, and you standing up for your right to choose another doctor speaks volumes about your care about your self. Your self thanks you!
Profile: atticus997
atticus997
June 24th, 2020 8:32pm
First, make sure that the doctor that you see a specialist in the field that you need. It is also best to have a referral from a friend or family member. Write down questions that you have concerning your problem so that you don't forget any important information that you may require. When you are finished with the consultation, inquire about what medications the doctor wants to put you on, if any. Find out the doses, if you need to take it with a meal and the side affects of the medication. If needed, ask for a follow-up appointment. Bring a notebook and write down all information that the doctor relays to you.
Profile: proudPeace77
proudPeace77
July 4th, 2020 2:36pm
If you go to your doctor with a written list of what you want to ask, then you will have an agenda that you and your doctor can work through and it will give you a clearer head when you go into the doctors surgery, rather than worrying about what you are going to say in there. If you go in there with a plan, it will put all your worries aside and you will be able to sort out any major issues that you may have. Stay strong, I believe in you. I know that you can do it.
Profile: kindheartedApricot3062
kindheartedApricot3062
July 18th, 2020 2:12am
My personal experience is that the best way to get help is to ask! I was concerned about a specific mental health issue so I asked my primary care physician if she had any resources for it. She initially directed me to public resources online, but I made another appointment and re-asserted myself. I ended up getting formally tested, and it was very affordable through a local sliding scale psychologist. Getting the referral from my primary care physician was the first step - even if you don't know what is wrong, their job is to make you feel better!
Profile: wavy34
wavy34
July 22nd, 2020 2:53pm
One of the best ways is to write down what you want out of the appointment before you go and take it with you to remind yourself of anything you may have missed or to show the doctor if you feel you can't explain something. Also taking someone with you can help reinforce your point if you feel the doctor won't listen to just you alone. Sometimes having another person there can make your request/point seem more urgent to a doctor, particularly if you are under 18. I find that taking a parent if possible can help to get what I need
Anonymous
August 19th, 2020 9:43pm
First you need to decide what you need. It sounds simple, but it can be a difficult task. Do you need some medication? Do you want a therapy referral? Do you want an answer to a question? A diagnosis? It’s helpful to decide this before your visit so that you can have a purpose for seeing your doctor. Keep this goal in mind throughout your appointment. Be honest and open about this goal, most appointments are only short so it is best to be blunt. Your doctor is not their to judge and this may even help them too. If you don’t get what you need, you have every right to change your GP. It’s so important that you find the best doctor for you.
Profile: courageousComfort1239
courageousComfort1239
October 14th, 2020 9:36am
Make a list of all your questions and concerns. Photocopy it and take it with you to your next appointment. Have a list of all your med names and dosages, too. When you make your appointment, be sure to succinctly state why you need to visit. You need to be organized on your end of the doctor-patient relationship so you get your medical needs met. It is a two way street. Advocate for yourself. If you do not get your needs met by the practitioner, seek another practitioner. Also, being polite will get you a lot more active listening and results than being a total jerk to the practitioner and staff. Nice people stand out over the course of a day!