{"id":2309,"date":"2020-03-02T18:46:15","date_gmt":"2020-03-02T18:46:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hancockhealth.org\/?p=2309"},"modified":"2020-03-02T18:46:15","modified_gmt":"2020-03-02T18:46:15","slug":"want-better-health-care-be-a-partner-not-a-patient-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hancockhealth.org\/de\/2020\/03\/want-better-health-care-be-a-partner-not-a-patient-2\/","title":{"rendered":"M\u00f6chten Sie eine bessere Gesundheitsversorgung? Seien Sie ein Partner, kein Patient"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Gesundheit m\u00f6glich<\/a> <\/div>\n\n

M\u00f6chten Sie eine bessere Gesundheitsversorgung? Seien Sie ein Partner, kein Patient<\/h1>\n\n
\n\n 2. M\u00e4rz 2020<\/span>\n\n
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The word \u201cpatient\u201d comes from a Latin word that means \u201cone who suffers.\u201d This makes sense. We go to the doctor when we\u2019re sick, right? And the doctor gives us the expert advice and care we need to get better.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Once we\u2019re no longer suffering, we might not think too much about our doctor. Which is fine as long as we stay healthy and keep up healthy habits. But once we\u2019re older, or have developed a more serious risk for health problems, the risks of an \u201cif it ain\u2019t broke, don\u2019t fix it\u201d attitude start to add up. It\u2019s heartbreaking to learn of a serious health problem that could be much less serious if only it had been addressed sooner.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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With that in mind, here are some tips to help you become more of a partner to your doctor than a patient:<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Find a Doctor Who Listens<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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This tip is tops because none of the other tips will really work if your doctor doesn\u2019t hear what you\u2019re saying\u2014or take your questions seriously. You\u2019ll also want to find a doctor who doesn\u2019t mind accepting your input. Your statement of \u201cI don\u2019t know if I can do that,\u201d or questions like \u201cAre there any other options?\u201d deserve to be taken seriously. If that hasn\u2019t been the case, talk to your doctor about the issue. If they won\u2019t have that<\/em> talk, maybe it\u2019s time to look for a doctor <\/a>who will.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Approach Doctor Visits with a Wellness Mindset<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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If the only thing getting you to the doctor is a broken arm, a sore throat, or a bout of the flu, you\u2019re not going to have a very productive partnership. When you\u2019re sick or in pain, you\u2019re not in the best position to think, ask questions, or absorb information.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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More and more, most health insurance covers preventive visits\u2014yearly checkups and the like\u2014at little to no cost. Make sure you\u2019re taking advantage of all the care you\u2019ve got coming to you, and\u00a0use those more focused visits<\/a>\u00a0to find out answers to your health questions and talk to your doctor about any changes they may see coming.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Talk About What You\u2019re Feeling, Not What You Think You Have<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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This one can be tough, especially for those of us who are super-well-informed<\/a> about health issues and research. If you\u2019re the type who tries to diagnose yourself online before heading to the doctor, take a step back once you get into the exam room.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Don\u2019t lead with something like, \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure it\u2019s strep.\u201d Tell your doctor when you first started noticing symptoms, how they progressed, and what you\u2019re experiencing now.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Be Honest About What You Don\u2019t Understand<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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If find yourself thinking things like, \u201cI\u2019ll look it up later,\u201d or \u201cMaybe the pharmacist will tell me what this is for,\u201d it\u2019s time to speak up. Use questions like \u201cCan you tell me more about that?\u201d or just \u201cWhat is that?\u201d Remember, you\u2019re not supposed to be the expert here. It\u2019s smarter to ask questions about what you don\u2019t know, rather than pretend to know in order to save face.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Make Decisions as a Team<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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Whenever further care or treatment is called for, whether it\u2019s a test, a referral to a specialist, or a prescription, make sure you\u2019re involved in the decision. You don\u2019t have to play devil\u2019s advocate, but you should play your own advocate. If you\u2019re at all concerned about side-effects, ask about them. If you\u2019re not sure whether a test is necessary, ask your doctor about alternatives. Be honest about your feelings in these situations, as well. Whether you\u2019re concerned about costs, risks, or discomfort, your doctor may be able to help. But they can\u2019t help if they don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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In a partnership, both parties do their share, and both share the benefit. In the partnership between you and your doctor, the benefit is a healthier you!<\/p>\n<\/div>

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